Conway, Mitchell, Neesham star as New Zealand rout Bangladesh

Maiden centuries for Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell set up a crushing 164-run win for New Zealand in the third One-Day International (ODI) in Wellington on Friday, giving the hosts a series clean sweep. Conway blasted 126 from 110 balls and Mitchell finished on 100 not out after New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat, making 318 for 6.

Bangladesh were never in the hunt for the 319 target, all out for 154 after 42.4 overs, with Mahmudullah's unbeaten 76 the only highlight as eight batsmen failed to reach double figures. James Neesham and Matt Henry did the damage for New Zealand with the ball, taking five for 27 and four for 27 respectively. Paceman Rubel Hossain was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers, with three for 70, but the tourists' attack struggled on a green Basin Reserve wicket.

"We were just not good enough," Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal said. 

"No doubt the Blackcaps played unbelievably well but we didn't perform. Sometimes the small things can hurt you, the (dropped) catches and the run-out chances."

Conway capitalised on the tourists' woes and his century was just reward for the South Africa-born batsman, who has been in outstanding form since he was first selected for the Blacks Caps late last year. His performances include 72 in the second Bangladesh ODI and an unbeaten 99 when he was left stranded in a Twenty20 match against Australia last month. 

Mitchell looked like he would suffer a similar fate in Wellington before scrambling home to bring up his century on the last ball of the innings as wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim tried to stump him.  "I was just trying to swing as hard as I could, there were a few played and missed in there," Mitchell said. 

"I'll take them any way they come. It's just nice to get the job done." 

Both Conway and Mitchell were making only their third ODI appearances for New Zealand after debuting in the series opener against Bangladesh in Dunedin last week. 

New Zealand were looking shaky before their arrival after losing three wickets within 13 balls to slump to 57 for 3.  Tom Latham and Conway consolidated with a 63-run partnership before the New Zealand skipper departed for 18. That was the cue for Conway and Mitchell to go on the attack, combining for a 159-run stand that put the match beyond Bangladesh's reach. 

Openers Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar were dismissed in the first five overs and a steady stream of wickets prevented any meaningful partnerships forming.

With the series win New Zealand have grabbed a full 30 points in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League. New Zealand are second in the points table owing to a better net run-rate though four others - Bangladesh, England, Afghanistan and the West Indies – are also on 30 points. 

Reigning World champions Australia lead with 40 points in the Super League, which was introduced last year to add context to ODI cricket.

New Zealand and Bangladesh will meet next in a three-match T20 International (T20I) series beginning in Hamilton on Sunday (March 28).

Brief scores:

New Zealand 318 for 6 in 50 overs (Devon Conway 126, Daryl Mitchell 100*; Rubel Hossain 3 for 70) beat Bangladesh 154 in 42.4 overs (Mahmudullah 76*, Liton Das 21; James Neesham 5 for 27) by 164 runs

Player of the match & Series: Devon Conway

(Inputs from ICC Media Release)