Plays of the Day from the Group A match between New Zealand and Bangladesh in Hamilton
Andrew McGlashan and Devashish Fuloria13-Mar-2015The fieldBrendon McCullum has been employing Test match fields throughout the tournament and today was no different. Two slips were a norm but at times, the number went up to four. However, it was not just about placing everyone for the edge. When Mahmudullah, the first right-hander in the line-up, walked in the third over, two short midwickets were in place. Mahmudullah knew what the ploy was, still he ended up pushing the inswinging Trent Boult delivery in the air towards those two men. Fortunately for him, he couldn’t have placed it better, the ball just out of reach of a diving Martin Guptill.The diveCould Brendon McCullum be Superman? He certainly did a good impression as he chased down a ball heading to the boundary, then flung himself with incredible hang-time to try and flick it back. As he thudded into the ground there were gasps; he pounded into the grass and was a little ginger as he got up. Every run is vital in a one-dayer, but some one-dayers are more vital than others. Next week’s in Wellington is more important than this match. Would it have been worth serious damage? And, in the end, it was still a boundary.The missGiven the high standards New Zealand set on the field, it was surprising to see them drop a few catches. Corey Anderson missed one at second slip, Guptill would have perhaps plucked on another day the one he missed at midwicket or the other one later in the innings had his anticipation been correct, but the one that stood out was McCulllum. As Shakib Al Hasan struck Corey Anderson flat and hard, the ball, as viewed from the press-box, right behind McCullum, seemed to be stuck on the bat for a moment before taking off. It was possibly the angle of the bat when it made contact. McCullum was confused too and reacted too late even though the ball wasn’t too far from his left shoulder. Injury averted, chance missed.The shotThere have been plenty of sixes at the World Cup, but not many off Daniel Vettori. When Mahmadullah, on 77, slog-swept over deep square-leg, it was just the third six Vettori had conceded in the tournament. Not that Vettori’s figures suffered too badly – although 42 was the most he had gone for in six matches – but Mahmadullah’s shot was another example of calculation and composure that has typified Bangladesh’s batting in the last two matches.The firstThe Bangladesh camp hinted strongly they would open the bowling with spin and they did not disappoint. Shakib, the stand-in captain, took the first over then Taijul Islam, brought into the side for fellow spinner Arafat Sunny, took the second. It made it the first time in ODI history that two left-arm spinners had opened the bowling.The failureKane Williamson has been under the weather in the days before this match and he’ll have felt pretty sick when he cut his second ball to point, giving Shakib his second wicket in four balls and leaving New Zealand 33 for 2. It ended a remarkable run of scoring in ODIs for him – this was the first innings since December 26, 2013 where he had not made double figures, during which time he has made 1360 runs at 64.76. But if he has saved a few for the quarter-final, the whole of New Zealand will be delighted.
