26 Dec 2016

Latham century in massive NZ total

3:24 pm on 26 December 2016

Black Caps opening batsman Tom Latham scored a century as New Zealand set Bangladesh a winning target of 342 in the first ODI in Christchurch.

Colin Munro with Tom Latham (R) saluting the crowd after scoring his century

Colin Munro with Tom Latham (R) saluting the crowd after scoring his century Photo: Photosport

It was the 24-year-old's second century in ODI cricket which he brought up with a six on the 100th ball he faced.

After his captain Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to bat, Latham anchored the New Zealand innings until the 48th over when he was caught behind for 137, his highest score in ODI cricket.

He put together a 158 run partnership with number six batsman Colin Munro whose 87 from 61 was also his highest score in ODIs.

Playing in front of his home crowd at Hagley Oval, the left-handed Latham faced 121 balls hitting 11 boundaries including four sixes.

Latham's opening partner Martin Guptill was the first batsman out, caught at mid-off in the 6th over for 15.

Williamson grafted 31 off 36 before being caught behind after fiddling with a wide delivery in the 15th over.

Neil Broom looked solid in his first international innings for three years before being trapped LBW for 22 in the 25th over by the left arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan.

Shakib's second victim was Jimmy Neesham, dismissed in the same manner as Broom in the 29th over for 12.

Munro went out swinging wildly, caught in the 47th over off Taskin Ahmed who clean bowled the recalled Luke Ronchi for 5.

Tim Southee (7) and Mitchell Santner (8) saw out the New Zealand innings, guiding the home side to 341 for 7, the equal highest ODI total on Hagley Oval.

Shakib was the best of the Bangladeshi bowlers taking 3 wickets for 69 runs off 10 overs.