New Zealand blast 335/5 against Bangladesh

WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s beleaguered top order finally clicked by scoring 335 for five off 50 overs in the second One-Day International against Bangladesh in Napier on Friday.

Peter Fulton top-scored with 83, while Jamie How, who scored 88 in the six-wicket victory in the first match on Wednesday, followed up with 74 as the Black Caps plundered Bangladesh’s bowling to all corners of McLean Park.

Big-hitting all-rounder Jacob Oram produced a sparkling example of his power at the end of the innings, stroking four boundaries and blasting four sixes in scoring 55 off 31 balls.

New Zealand’s score was their second-highest in One-Day Internationals against Bangladesh, falling just short of the 338-4 they scored in Sharjah in 1990. It was their highest One-day score against Bangladesh in New Zealand.

All of the top order, who had been under pressure to perform after One-day series losses against South Africa and Australia, got starts with Brendon McCullum adding 35 and Scott Styris 41. Ross Taylor took a back seat to Oram’s power hitting at the end of the innings to finish on 34 not out, off 24 balls.

Oram, who had smashed two fours and a six in the final over, was caught in the deep off the last ball of the innings. Abdur Razzak was the most successful of Bangladesh’s bowlers with two wickets, though he conceded 75 runs off his 10 overs.