Follow UsNew Zealand made it three in three in the ongoing World Cup with yet another eight-wicket win over Bangladesh in Chennai on Thursday (October 13). Trent Boult picked up his 200th ODI wicket in the game and became the third fastest to the milestone after Mitchell Starc and Saqlain Mushtaq.
Speaking of the achievement, Boult, in the post-match press conference, said," I'm very proud of it. It's, yeah, come with a bit of hard work and, you know, I've always enjoyed one-day cricket, and there's been days where it's been a lot more successful than others but, yeah, no, very good feeling to tick off 200. It is pretty exciting."
Kane Williamson played his first ODI for his country since January this year, and after absorbing the pressure, he made a valiant 78 before walking off retired hurt after suffering a blow on his elbow.
Speaking of his skipper's effort, Boult said, "Great to have him back, first of all, and obviously a key player for us. So yeah, the guy's very comfortable at the crease, very familiar with how he wants to play his cricket. And yeah, you touched on soaking up some pressure at the start to begin with.
"But yeah, he plays good cricket shots, puts pressure on the bowler and generally, that's a pretty good recipe so nice to see him out there getting some runs and playing a role for us."
The knuckle ball is one of the trickiest deliveries to execute. Boult has more or less mastered it and says that a lot of practice goes on behind it.
"I've been lucky enough to play with some decent bowlers over the years, and sharing secrets and asking questions is there's always the way forward, but yeah, I think over here on good wickets you have to have a couple of balls up your sleeve,, that you can go to under pressure and yeah touch wood it's coming out all right, enjoy bowling it," Boult said.
From a Bangladesh point of view, this was their second loss in three games and they need to get on a winning streak from here to have a chance to stake claim for a place in the semis. One of the reasons for Bangladesh's downfall could be the tinkering around with the batting line-up. Najmul Hossain Shanto says that he is comfortable batting any position and adds that everyone knows which position they are going to bat beforehand.
"I think especially those who bat in the middle order, especially in the numbers 4, 5, and 6, have flexibility, everyone has flexibility in those places," Shanto said.
"Every team has flexibility many times. But if it is not possible, it may be a little convenient for the batsman. But I think every batsman is comfortable here. None has a complaint that I cannot bat if my batting order changes every day. There is no complaint at all."
Bangladesh have lost four wickets in nine out of 11 ODIs, including in this game against New Zealand. Shanto feels that the batters need to bat more responsibly.
"We plan every day on how we can do better. But what seems the most important thing to me is that we should do batting with more responsibility," Shanto said.
"Because there will be definitely challenges for the top order with the new ball. That's why we bat at the top order. So it is our responsibility. Everyone knows everyone's role. So, I think if we bat with a little more responsibility. I think the skill doesn't matter here. But we should bat with a bit more responsibility."
New Zealand will look to make it four in four when they take on Afghanistan next in Chennai on Wednesday (October 18). Afghanistan, on the other hand, will look to pip hosts India in Pune on Thursday (October 19) and get their World Cup campaign back on track.