Suzie Bates, Jess Kerr star as White-Ferns thrash Bangladesh Women

Bates and Green added 131 for the third wicket [Source: Twitter]

Suzie Bates' unbeaten 93 and Jess Kerr's 4-for set the tone for New Zealand women as they beat Bangladesh by 8-wickets on Sunday to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Sultana stands tall but Bangladesh crumble

It was always going to be a tough ask for Bangladesh to survive against a quality New Zealand bowling attack. With the pitch conducive for bowlers, Jess Kerr took full advantage of it and ripped through Bangladesh's batting lineup.

The visitors had a disastrous start after opting to bat first. They scored just 10 runs in the power-play and lost two wickets, both to Jess Kerr.

With their backs against the walls, skipper Nigar Sultana and Sharmin Akhter steadied the sinking ship. They added64-runs for the third wicket, but at a run-rate of just above 3.5 an over.

Despite the wicket of Akhter, Sultana continued to work hard and added valuable runs alongside Lata Mondal and Rumana Ahmed. Sultana scored her career-best 73, but that wan't enough as Bangladesh women were bundled out for a mere 180 on the board.

Kerr was the chief destroyer with the ball in hand, picking up 4 for 23 to rattle the visitors.

Easy chase in the end

Bates put on a 50-run opening stand alongside Sophie Devine. However,, just when things were going smooth, Jahanara Alam gave a ray of hope to her side, picking up two in two.

But that was the only period where Bangladesh dominated the game. There were no further inroads as Bates alongside Maddy Green took the attack to the opposition. The duo added an unbeaten 131 for the third wicket and took their side past the winning line.

Bates remained unbeaten on 93, while Green stood tall on 59.

Brief Score

Bangladesh Women: 180-8 (50)

Nigar Sultana 73 (133), Sharmin Akhter 29 (63);

Jess Kerr 4-23 (10)

New Zealand Women: 181-2 (31)

Suzie Bates 93* (91), Maddy Green 59 (70)

Jahanara Alam 2-32 (8)

New Zealand women won by 8-wickets

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