Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
New Zealand vs Bangladesh ODI Series Player Ratings
Did you feel like it was Zimbabwe vs Pakistan all over again?
A battle between two World Cup participants was supposed to be far more competitive than that. Sure, Bangladesh had never won an ODI in New Zealand before, and were missing star man Shakib Al Hasan, but that was not good enough for a side supposedly on the rise. With Mashrafe Mortaza now a Member of Bangladesh Parliament, the cricketers would be smart not to mess with him. However, Mashrafe was a frustrated man as a result of heavy defeat after heavy defeat, which will likely consign us to further interesting comments from some corners of the Bangladesh fan base.
For New Zealand, it was like a lovely mid-February holiday. That this was their last ODI series before the World Cup is a slight concern, given they were disappointing against India and so dominant here, but they were ruthless as they had to be after a 4-1 defeat. They were rarely threatened, and showed they have the ingredients to make a strong push for a Semi Final place at this year’s World Cup.
In this piece, each player will be rated out of ten for the series. As always, it is a light hearted piece. Bangladesh, watch out.
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New Zealand
Martin Guptill: 3 matches, 264 runs, average: 132.00
A welcome change from Lasith Malinga, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami. He took full advantage of Bangladesh’s inability to produce great deliveries, getting the crowd more involved than Bangladesh’s fielders, especially in Christchurch. Dominant. 10
Henry Nicholls: 3 matches, 131 runs, average: 43.66
Steady, without being spectacular. Will open for New Zealand in the World Cup thanks to Colin Munro’s inept performances in this format. Stronger teams will look to build plenty of pressure on him early, which makes good strike rotation crucial for New Zealand and Nicholls. 7
Colin Munro: 1 match, 8 runs, average: 8.00
A misfiring Bangladesh attack in a dead-rubber was not enough for Munro to fire. As the case against India, Munro and ODIs remains a tragic love story. 1
Kane Williamson: 2 matches, 76 runs, average: 76.00
Kane Williamson arguably began resting when this series did. His second ODI 65* was arguably the most cruisy of his career, having an on-field net session as New Zealand cantered to a series win. Stressed against India, chill against Bangladesh. Wasn’t missed in the third ODI as he took a rest. Could he have been doing more in his sleep than he had to do in this series? 7
Ross Taylor: 3 matches, 135 runs, average: 135.00
Genuinely feared he wouldn’t bat in the first two ODIs, but ended up getting a run in all three matches. Went past Stephen Fleming to become New Zealand’s all-time leading run-scorer in ODIs. 7
Tom Latham: 3 matches, 59 runs, average: 59.00, 3 catches, 1 stumping
A spectator in the first two ODIs. New Zealand didn’t even need to ‘rest’ a few players, simply because they were watching the action from the change rooms. Latham was one, not needed to bat until the third ODI. Some strong blows with the bat and picked up a win as captain. 6
James Neesham: 3 matches, 37 runs, average: 37.00. 2 wickets, average: 35.50, econ. 4.26
Neesham is a star on Twitter, and Bangladesh did everything they could to give Neesham the chance to tweet during games. “Watching Bangladesh’s top order crumble” would have been a common tweet. His role was limited with both bat and ball, as he was more of a spectator. Threatened to go really big in the third ODI, and remains a key finisher for New Zealand. 5
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Colin de Grandhomme: 3 matches, 37 runs, average: N/A. 2 wickets, average: 31.00, econ. 4.42
Will likely get into New Zealand’s first XI for the World Cup. Like Latham and Neesham, he wasn’t needed too much. 5
Mitchell Santner: 2 matches, 16 runs, average: N/A. 3 wickets, average: 30.33, econ. 5.05
In a two-way fight with Todd Astle for the spinner role in the World Cup. Did Santner do enough to lock down his place? Perhaps not, especially considering he was unable to take a wicket with Bangladesh were there for the taking in the third ODI. However, he was steady, and is still easing back after a serious knee injury. 5
Matt Henry: 2 matches, 3 wickets, average: 26.00, econ. 4.10
Very solid series, and perhaps unlucky to be the one chosen to sit out the third ODI for Tim Southee. Will be a key part of New Zealand’s World Cup squad. Too good for Bangladesh’s top order. 7
Lockie Ferguson: 3 matches, 5 wickets, average: 27.40, econ. 4.56
New Zealand’s go-to man in the death overs? Hustled Bangladesh with his pace, and was never really challenged by Bangladesh, despite their decent middle order efforts. 7
Trent Boult: 3 matches, 6 wickets, average: 21.00, econ. 4.36
Shikhar Dhawan was very happy to see the back of Trent Boult after the India ODI series. So are Bangladesh. Boult is looking very good (and I’m not talking about his looks). Sending down “Thunder-Boults”, with swing. 8
Tim Southee: 1 match, 6 wickets, average: 10.83, econ. 6.96
Crashed the party big time. Caused mayhem. For a second, Oman’s 24 against Scotland on 19th February was under threat. Southee hit the 140 km/h mark and had the ball swinging. He is forcing selectors to keep him in the frame, even though his ODI form in recent times has resembled a bit of a dog’s breakfast. A nine for his third ODI effort. 9
Todd Astle: 1 match, 2 wickets, average: 26.00, econ. 5.20
In-and-out of the side more than Dinesh Karthik is for India. Probably has done enough to be in New Zealand’s World Cup squad. Steady. 6
Bangladesh
Tamim Iqbal: 3 matches, 10 runs, average: 3.33
Colin Munro nearly outscored Tamim’s entire series output in one innings. That says it all, really. An awful series from a key player who was coming off a magnificent 141* in the BPL Final. Unable to adjust to conditions, and the series was summed up with a shot in the third ODI that you’ll block your children’s eyes if they want to watch it. 1
Liton Das: 3 matches, 3 runs, average: 1.00
Credit to Liton Das. He was the most consistent player of the series. Really. Scores of 1, 1 and 1 is unbelievable consistency. In all seriousness, he is the new Mohammad Ashraful. Talent galore, quality strokeplay, very little output. 1
Soumya Sarkar: 3 matches, 52 runs, average: 17.33
There is playing with fire. And then there is Bangladesh believing they can enter the World Cup confident with Soumya Sarkar at three. Two starts in the series, and looked OK, but he is always suspect to the moving ball. Where do Bangladesh fit him? 3
Mushfiqur Rahim: 3 matches, 46 runs, average: 15.33
Copped blows to the ribs and finger. Was reportedly keen to leave with Mashrafe Mortaza to the airport, but was reminded there is a Test series to come. Bangladesh needed more from Mushi, but wasn’t to be. Courageous decision to play the third ODI. 2
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Mohammad Mithun: 2 matches, 119 runs, average: 59.50
Given how Mithun carried the Bangladesh batting, it was a surprise he didn’t injure his back. His hamstring injury was such a huge blow to he and Bangladesh, but his performance was mighty encouraging amid the carnage. With two fifties, he has surely sealed his ticket to England. 8
Mahmudullah: 3 matches, 36 runs, average: 12.00. 1 wicket, average: 80.00, econ. 8.00
The third of Bangladesh’s key batting trio. The third flop. Highlight was the wicket of Kane Williamson in the first ODI with an ordinary short ball. 2
Sabbir Rahman: 3 matches, 158 runs, average: 52.66. 0 wickets, econ. 6.27
The coming of age for Sabbir? One of Bangladesh’s most frustrating prospects, both on and off the field, came good in this series. Finished with a superb century amid the darkness. Can he push on from this? He has the talent to do so, but then again, so do many Bangladesh players. 8
Mohammad Saifuddin: 3 matches, 95 runs, average: 31.66. 1 wicket, average: 136.00, econ. 5.86
Bangladesh’s third highest run-scorer. Batted well, did Saifuddin, but is in the side mainly for his bowling. Generated some nice shape in the third ODI, but mostly lacked penetration in the series. Disappointing bowling numbers. 6
Mehidy Hasan Miraz: 3 matches, 79 runs, average: 26.33. 2 wickets, average: 63.50, econ. 5.25
Decent fight with the bat, unlike, yes you guessed it, his top order teammates. However, Mehidy needs to develop ways to be more effective with the ball overseas. The difference between his home and away averages is quite scary. 4
Mashrafe Mortaza: 3 matches, 1 wicket, average: 123.00, econ. 4.93
Rejoiced Colin Munro was picked to open, and then took his wicket. All in all, a very frustrating series for the skipper, who tried to lift his ailing troops. Will the World Cup be his last hurrah? 3
Mustafizur Rahman: 3 matches, 4 wickets, average: 42.75, econ. 6.33
More expensive than a gold digger in the final ODI, going for 93 in his 10! For a moment, you wondered if Bangladesh would outscore Mustafizur. Series marked by overuse of the slower ball and no swing due to poor release. However, he put in a fine second ODI effort. 5
Rubel Hossain: 1 match, 1 wicket, average: 64.00, econ. 7.11
Threatened early in his spell in the third ODI, but fell away. Typical of Bangladesh this series, really. 3
Thank you, next.
Time to focus on a new series, after one that was very one-sided.
Can Bangladesh be more competitive in the Test series? We will wait and see.
Thanks for reading!
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New Zealand vs Bangladesh ODI Series Player Ratings
