Kayes Ton In Vain As New Zealand Take Clean Sweep

Kayes Ton In Vain As New Zealand Take Clean Sweep

Martin Guptill hit 91 to see New Zealand to the brink of victory.

©REUTERS/Simon Baker. Picture supplied by Action Images

New Zealand 244-7 (Guptill 91, Shakib Al Hasan 4-33) beat
Bangladesh 241-9 (Imrul Kayes 101, Southee 3-37) by three wickets
Third One-Day International, Christchurch
Scorecard

Imrul Kayes stroked his maiden One-Day International century but his efforts proved in vain as New Zealand held off Bangladesh to win the third match by three wickets and complete a 3-0 series win in Christchurch.

The opener scored 101 in 136 deliveries to set up a score of 241 for nine and thanks to Martin Guptill's 91, New Zealand got home with five overs and one ball to spare.

Kayes stroked 11 boundaries as he came to terms with the bowling attack and conditions; only Mohammad Ashraful, who made 31, and Shakib Al Hasan, who scored 36, also made starts, which prevented Bangladesh from putting a score of 280 or so on the board, which would have really challenged the home side.

Tim Southee and Daniel Vettori both picked up three wickets to slow Bangladesh's momentum while Andy McKay and Jacob Oram chipped in with one apiece.

In reply, all but one New Zealand batsman reached double figures with Guptill going on to make 91 in as many balls, blasting nine fours and three sixes to keep New Zealand on track.

Bangladesh chipped away with wickets, Shakib's left-arm spin returrning four for 33, but the experience of Vettori (34) and James Franklin (19 not out) ensured there was to be no upset.

© Cricket World 2010

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