Cricket: Black Caps show authority in opening win

New Zealand stamped their authority on the one-day international series against Bangladesh with a 77-run victory in the opening match at Christchurch.

The hosts decided to bat, and their record total of 341 for seven in 26 ODI meetings between the sides warded off a disciplined Bangladesh attempt at a resurgence.

The visitors ignited moments of hope before their dismissal for 264 in 44.5 overs. Shakib Al Hasan sparkled with 59 from 54 balls. His 63-run stand for the fifth wicket with Mushfiqur Rahim muted a boisterous local crowd craving an early celebration. Hopes were further dashed when Mushfiqur strained a hamstring and retired hurt for 41 although Mosaddek Hossain whacked an unbeaten 50 to finish. Jimmy Neesham, through a series of temptations outside off stump, finished with the best figures of three for 36 from seven overs. Eighteen New Zealand wides highlighted a concern.

The Black Caps' total equalled the ground's highest in the ODI format - 341 for nine by Scotland against Canada in a World Cup qualifier. The innings spine came courtesy of a record-equalling ODI partnership against Bangladesh between Tom Latham and Colin Munro.

Helped by some tourist struggles in the field, the Black Caps built a platform of 158 for four before the pair united in the 29th over to harvest another 158 runs. Their partnership equalled John Wright and Martin Crowe's best stand for any wicket by New Zealanders against Bangladesh, set at Sharjah in 1989-90.

Cantabrian Latham entered to a local cheer and anchored the innings with 137 from 121 balls. He worked the strike, completing just two fours and a six on his way to 50 in 56 balls. The 24-year-old reached his second ODI century, and first at home, in 100 balls.

Munro's bludgeoning ensured New Zealand avoided any vulnerability late in their innings. He made his highest ODI score of 87, including eight fours and four sixes, and looked at his best lofting in the arc between deep cover and deep mid-wicket. The hands and eyes of the 7776-strong crowd had a workout.

Prior to the fifth wicket, a definitive partnership had not emerged. Latham made 31 with Martin Guptill, 48 with Kane Williamson and 55 with Neil Broom. Bangladesh could not collect a clump of wickets and their fielding, including dropped catches, disappointed.

Broom had everything to prove, after exiting the second year of his contract as a 'local' player with Derbyshire. He looked solid with 22 off 32 balls in his first ODI for six years, but the pressure will be on with Taylor's sight improving enough to be practising in the nets. He is due to return to domestic action shortly.

Williamson made 31 off 36 before flashing at a wide delivery outside off stump from Taskin Ahmed. His 96th ODI innings saw him become the fastest New Zealander - and fourth-equal quickest in history alongside West Indian Gordon Greenidge - to reach 4000 runs in the format. Only South Africa's Hashim Amla (81 innings), West Indian Sir Vivian Richards (88) and Indian Virat Kohli (93) were ahead of him.

The Bangladesh bowling showed enough quality to suggest they could cause New Zealand problems. Shakib, the world top-ranked ODI all-rounder, had Broom and Neesham (12 off 13 balls) trapped leg-before-wicket. For a moment, it seemed New Zealand susceptibility to spin on the subcontinent might repeat. A locomotion of Bangladeshi fans took heart from this, chanting and waving their flags around the ground. Confidence grew as the drums beat towards the players' pavilion.

At the fall of an earlier wicket, one Bangladeshi supporter bravely raised a stuffed tiger above his head and completed a lap of the ground. Further joy for the visitors across the day was short-lived.​