CWC2023: Williamson, Mitchell guides New Zealand to big 8 wkt win over Bangladesh

 

After winning the first match in the World Cup, Bangladesh had to lose two matches in a row.  This time Bangladesh lost to New Zealand in Chennai.  Batting first, Bangladesh lost 9 wickets and scored 245 runs in 50 overs.  New Zealand did not have any particular problem in chasing that score.  Kane Williamson could not play in the first two matches.  The New Zealand captain played the match-winning innings on his return to the team in the third match of the World Cup.  Although he could not play in the end.  He had to leave the field due to a finger injury and Daryl Mitchell closed out the match with a dazzling knock  of  89 runs 

 Williamson won the toss and elected to bowl first on the Chennai wicket.  Trent Boult proved that his decision is right from the first ball.  He dismissed Litton Das on the first ball.  Opener Tanjid Hasan also failed to score more runs.  Nazmul Hossain Shanto failed too.  Mehdi Hasan Miraj started well.  But he also got out after scoring 30 runs.  Bangladesh lost 4 wickets for 56 runs.

 Bangladesh's two most experienced cricketers Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim took the lead for the team after handling the shock.  Mushfiqur looked more aggressive.  He played big shots against the bowlers of New Zealand.  Shakib initially played for a while but gradually started playing shots.  A partnership of 96 runs was made between the two batters.

 After England, Mushfiqur also scored a half century against New Zealand.  Shakib was also walking that path.  But he got out on the bouncer of Lockie Ferguson at the mark of 40 runs.  When Mushfiqur got out with 66 runs, Bangladesh was under pressure again.

At one time, it seemed that Bangladesh would cross 200 somehow.  But in the end, Mahmudullah pulled the team.  He remained unbeaten with 41 runs.  Taskin Ahmed accompanied him.  Bangladesh went close to 250 with the bat of these two batters.  In the end, their innings ended with 245 runs.

 New Zealand did not start well in response.  Rachin Ravindra (9) , who scored runs in the first two matches, did not get going in this match.  Williamson batted at number three.  He first teamed up with Devon Conway.  They knew that not too many aggressive shots could be played on the Chennai wicket.  So they started the game of keeping the scoreboard running.  A steady 80-run stand was made between the two.

 Conway was dismissed by Shakib for 45 runs.  Williamson then paired with Daryl Mitchell.  They continue to move towards the goal without taking any risk.  Williamson scored a half century.  He looked good after recovering from the injury.  Mitchell also started playing big shots later on.  Williamson's (78) finger is hit while taking a run .  As a result, he finally had to retire .  Mitchell scored his own fifty in fluent style . 

 New Zealand started to make quick runs towards the end.  Bangladesh bolwers looked lost .   In the end, New Zealand won the match by 8 wickets with 43 balls remaining.  Mitchell remained unbeaten on 89 runs off 67 balls  that included some imperious pull shots and sublime lofted shots down the ground . Glenn Phillips kept Mitchell company with 16 off 11 balls