Black Caps tame timid Tigers

Debutant Peter Ingram and Brendon McCullum celebrate knocking off 79 to romp to a 10-wicket win in just 8.2 overs

New Zealand drew first blood in their series with Bangladesh with a 10-wicket thrashing of the Tigers in the one-off Twenty20 international in Hamilton.

Having skittled the tourists for a paltry 78 in 17.3 overs, the Black Caps reached their target with ease, taking just 8.2 overs as openers Brendon McCullum and debutant Peter Ingram quickly rattled off the runs required.

Bangladesh were not helped by some poor fielding. McCullum was dropped on six and then Ingram was given a lifeline on 11 and both players made full use of the reprieve.

McCullum blasted his way to an unbeaten half-century, his 56 coming off 27 balls and including seven fours and two sixes.

In his first taste of international cricket Ingram hit three fours in his 23-ball 20 not out.

It was a tough night’s work for the visitors, who won the toss and chose to bat.

They were soon in trouble as New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori proved the chief destroyer, taking 3-6 from his four overs.

His bowling partnership with fellow spinner Nathan McCullum, who took 2-15, ripped the heart out of the Bangladesh side as they slumped from 41 for three to 42 for five in the space of four balls and never recovered.

Jacob Oram and Daryl Tuffey, who both claimed 2-16, and the returning James Franklin ensured the visitors’ wickets fell at regular intervals.

Bangladesh did not help themselves though as they swung wildly and did not cope with the turn or bounce of the Seddon Park wicket.

Perhaps their rash shot selection was due to the fact they arrived in New Zealand fresh from playing Tests against India, but they showed no patience at the crease allowing the home bowlers to dominate.

Tamim Iqbal looked to be in relatively good touch early on, although he was fortunate when Tuffey was unable to get under a skied shot.

But having raced to 14 off nine balls, a Tuffey delivery flew off his gloves and McCullum made a smart one-handed leaping catch to claim New Zealand’s first scalp of the night.

Things went steadily downhill for the visitors after that until Raqibul Hasan put up some resistance with a top score of 18.

But it was never going to be enough as the lower order quickly fell by the wayside.

Bangladesh have little time in which to recover, with the three-match one-day series starting in Napier on Friday.