McCullum blitz sinks Netherlands
Captain Brendon McCullum's blitz, highlighted by a prolific milestone, carried New Zealand to a convincing six-wicket triumph over the Netherlands.
Captain Brendon McCullum's blitz, highlighted by a prolific milestone, carried New Zealand to a convincing six-wicket triumph over the Netherlands in Saturday's important World Twenty20 fixture at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong.
McCullum became the first player to reach 2,000 runs in the shortest format of the international game en route to a commanding 65 off just 45 balls, a quartet of fours and trio of sixes included.
The result propelled the Black Caps to second position in Group 1, while a third defeat in as many attempts kept the Dutch rooted to the foot of the five-team log. Saturday's second match will see England clash with South Africa at the same venue.
McCullum hit a punishing 45-ball 65 with three sixes and four boundaries to make easy work of a 152-run target which New Zealand chased down in 19 overs.
McCullum added 42 for the second wicket with opener Kane Williamson (29) and another 46 for the fourth wicket with all-rounder Corey Anderson, who made an unbeaten 20.
McCullum holed out in the 17th over off seamer Timm van der Gugten, who took three for 30 in his four overs. But there was no support from any other Dutch bowler as New Zealand's strong batting line-up was too good for them.
Earlier, skipper Peter Borren made 49 and the in-form Tom Cooper an unbeaten 40 during their 60-run fourth wicket stand off just 35 balls to steer their team to 151 for four in 20 overs.
Borren hit seven boundaries and a six off 35 balls to improve on his previous best T20I score of 38 not out made against Afghanistan in Sharjah last year.
Cooper knocked two sixes and four boundaries off 23 balls to help his team add 43 in the last five overs.
The Netherlands were off to a steady 34-run start, with opener Stephan Myburgh hitting a boundary and a six before he fell to pace ace Trent Boult. New Zealand also brought in all-rounder Jimmy Neesham for Colin Munro from the line-up which beat England on Saturday.
Latest
-
NewsBen Brown century rescues Sussex against Yorkshire
Ben Brown, Lewis Gregory, Marcus Harris and Emilio Gay all hit centuries on Thursday.
-
NewsDouble century debut delight for Devon Conway as England fight back at Lord’s
Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson starred with the ball as the home side responded on day two.
-
NewsOllie Robinson praised for resilience after bouncing back on day two of Test
The England seamer faces an investigation over his historical tweets of a racist and sexist nature.
-
NewsDevon Conway hits double century but bowlers bring England back into first Test
The New Zealand batsman marked his debut by scoring 200 as the tourists made 378 at Lord’s.
-
NewsDevon Conway double century gives New Zealand control after England fightback
The hosts lost two early wickets in reply.
-
NewsMark Wood leads England fightback on second morning against New Zealand
The pair were instrumental as New Zealand lurched from 288 for three to 294 for seven.
-
NewsAdil Rashid excited by prospect of women sharing The Hundred stage with men
Rashid will wear the purple colours of Northern Superchargers when the tournament starts on July 21.
-
NewsA look at Ollie Robinson’s career amid ECB investigation into historical tweets
The England debutant should have been discussing an encouraging debut display against New Zealand.
-
NewsDevon Conway justifies selection as old tweets spoil Ollie Robinson’s big day
The New Zealand opener socred a Lord’s century on debut but the England paceman had to apologise for past racist and sexist remarks.
-
NewsOllie Robinson apologises for historical tweets as ECB launches investigation
Robinson, now 27, says he is “embarrassed” and “ashamed” of the posts he made in 2012 and 2013.