CHENNAI: New Zealand captain Kane Williamson made a successful return at the World Cup following his injury layoff with a half-century as the 2019 runners-up beat Bangladesh by eight wickets in Chennai on Friday for their third successive victory.

Chasing 246 to win after New Zealand’s pace bowlers Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult and Matt Henry ripped through Bangladesh, Williamson (78) batted superbly in his first competitive game since rupturing his knee ligament in March.

He forged an 80-run partnership with Devon Conway (45) and dropped anchor in the company of Daryl Mitchell (89 not out) but had to retire hurt with a finger injury before New Zealand crossed the finish line in 42.5 overs.

“That was another classic team effort from the Black Caps,” said player of the match Ferguson. “Everyone bowled really well and created pressure throughout. That meant I could come on and do my role. Fortunately the wicket gave me a bit of assistance.

“It’s early stages for sure but it’s certainly nice, three wins. We’re enjoying our time here, the group’s been great back together but there’s a long way to go so we’re looking forward to the next match.

“It was nice to see pace in the wicket. We play Afghanistan next here [on Wednesday] so hopefully a similar wicket.”

Williamson, who also experienced some soreness in his knee late in his innings, tried to play through the pain after being hit on his left thumb by a fiery throw when completing a run but called time on his knock with the game almost won.

“It got a bit fat and colourful straightaway and it made holding the bat a bit difficult,” said Williamson. “I’ve got a scan tomorrow, so hopefully it’s OK. It was great to get through from a knee perspective. From a team perspective, it was a really nice performance. The guys in the first half with the ball were excellent.”

New Zealand, runners-up at the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, had already defeated defending champions England as well as outsiders Netherlands in India.

Bangladesh defeated Afghanistan and then lost to England.

Earlier, Mushfiqur Rahim hit a fine half century to lead Bangladesh to 245-9 while veteran Boult claimed a 200th One-day International wicket.

Mushfiqur made 66 off 75 balls with six fours and two sixes, taking his number of fifties in the format to 48 having also hit a half-century against England three days ago.

The 36-year-old, playing in his 259th ODI, shared a crucial 96-run fourth wicket partnership with skipper Shakib Al Hasan (40) to help their team recover from 56-4.

Mushfiqur was eventually clean-bowled by Henry as he attempted to pick up the scoring rate after Shakib had perished, caught by wicket-keeper Tom Latham off Ferguson (3-49) after top-edging an attempted pull shot.

Shakib ended his innings suffering from cramps in the sweltering heat and batting without a helmet or cap against the spinners.

Mushfiqur’s brother-in-law Mahmudullah, batting at number eight, added a valuable undefeated 41.

Boult, meanwhile, became the sixth New Zealand player to take 200 ODI wickets.

The 34-year-old reached the personal landmark when he dismissed Towhid Hridoy, caught at extra cover by Mitchell Santner for 13, in the 38th over.

Playing in his 107th ODI, Boult also dismissed opener Liton Das off the first ball of the match.

Liton was celebrating his 29th birthday but any hopes of a big score to mark the occasion were shattered when he shuffled down the wicket to confront Boult only to sky the ball to a grateful Henry who pocketed the chance at fine leg.

Ferguson extracted early pace and bounce from the wicket to get rid of Tanzid Hasan (16) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (30) while Glenn Phillips dismissed Najmul Hossain Shanto in his first over.

Mushfiqur and Shakib staged a comeback but Bangladesh never built on that platform.

“I think we didn’t bat well,” said Shanto, who stepped in for media duties with Shakib injured and set for a scan. “Even in the last match we batted poorly, especially in the first 10-15 overs. We have to improve... We have to take more responsibility.”

Williamson, playing his first ODI since January, had reached his 43rd fifty in the format off 81 balls and was looking well set for a century.

He moved on to 78 with eight fours and a six when he had to call it quits after a throw from the deep rapped him painfully on the glove, jamming his hand against the bat handle.

In discussion with the medical team, and with the Black Caps only 46 runs short of victory, it was decided to take Williamson out of the game.

New Zealand comfortably wrapped up the win with Mitchell doing it in some style with a giant heave for six off Bangladesh seamer Shoriful Islam.

SCOREBOARD

BANGLADESH:

Liton Das c Henry b Boult0

Tanzid Hasan c Conway b Ferguson16

Mehidy Hasan Miraz c Henry b Ferguson30

Najmul Hossain Shanto c Conway b Phillips7

Shakib Al Hasan c Latham b Ferguson40

Mushfiqur Rahim b Henry66

Towhid Hridoy c Santner b Boult13

Mahmudullah not out41

Taskin Ahmed c Mitchell b Santner17

Mustafizur Rahman c Latham b Henry4

Shoriful Islam not out2

EXTRAS (LB-1, NB-4, W-4)9

TOTAL (for nine wkts; 50 overs)245

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-0 (Liton), 2-40 (Tanzid), 3-56 (Mehidy), 4-56 (Shanto), 5-152 (Shakib), 6-175 (Mushfiqur), 7-180 (Towhid), 8-214 (Taskin), 9-225 (Mustafizur).

BOWLING: Boult 10-0-45-2 (2w), Henry 10-0-58-2 (1nb), Ferguson 10-0-49-3 (2w, 2nb), Santner 10-1-31-1, Phillips 2-0-13-1 (1nb), Ravindra 7-0-37-0, Mitchell 1-0-11-0.

NEW ZEALAND:

D. Conway lbw b Shakib45

R. Ravindra c Mushfiqur b Mustafizur9

K. Williamson retired hurt78

D. Mitchell not out89

G. Phillips not out16

EXTRAS (LB-1, W-10)11

TOTAL (for two wkts; 42.5 overs)248

DID NOT BAT: T. Latham, M. Chapman, M. Santner, M. Henry, L. Ferguson, T. Boult.

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-12 (Ravindra), 2-92 (Conway).

BOWLING: Mustafizur 8-0-36-1 (3w), Shoriful 7.5-1-43-0 (3w), Taskin 8-0-56-0 (3w), Shakib 10-0-54-1, Mehidy 9-0-58-0 (1w).

RESULT: New Zealand won by eight wickets.

PLAYER-OF-THE-MATCH: Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand).

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2023