New Zealand 9-1 for World Cup after sneaking second success against Bangladesh

New Zealand are 9-1 to win the World Cup and 8-11 to make the semi-finals after making it two wins out of two in the group stages with a two-wicket success over Bangladesh at The Oval.

It had all looked easy enough again for the Black Caps, who beat Sri Lanka by ten wickets in their opener, when they were 160-2 in pursuit of 245 at the Kennington venue.

However, the Tigers, who had drifted to as big as 50-1 for their own second triumph, then dismissed Kane Williamson and Tom Latham in quick succession. And then before the Kiwis had reached 220, top-scorer Ross Taylor and all-rounders Jimmy Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme were back in the pavilion too.

Quick bowler Matt Henry, who had taken 4-47 in a Bangladesh innings that never really threatened to go huge after Shakib Al Hasan and captain Mushfiqur Rahim were separated, also departed after a boundary. But Lockie Ferguson and Mitchell Santner kept their cool to seal the win.

Bangladesh, who face hosts and tournament-favourites England next in Cardiff on Saturday, are 5-1 to reach the semi-finals after following up their success over South Africa with another gritty performance.

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