New Zealand thrashed Bangladesh by 100 runs by putting on a clinical bowling display. There were two chief architects behind the win with the ball. One of them was experienced campaigner Lea Tahuhu. Yes, Jess Kerr started it off with the new ball as she got three wickets as well. But it was Tahuhu who came to bowl with a slightly older ball and then took wickets at regular intervals in different phases of the game to skittle Bangladesh out for a low score. It was a great team bowling performance from New Zealand but Tahuhu’s performance stood out.
Lea Tahuhu came onto bowl when Bangladesh had already lost early wickets and were on the back foot straightaway. Tahuhu had experience on her side and showed her prowess to prize out the wickets and give New Zealand an easy win in the end. She picked up wickets in the middle overs and then at the death as well to make sure Bangladesh barely batted for 40 overs. Tahuhu has been around for quite a while and she showed her prowess and class last night.
Lea Tahuhu’s 3/22 in 6 overs derails Bangladesh’s run chase.Â
Bangladesh’s batting is brittle and they lost wickets up top to the new ball bowlers Rosemary Mair and Jess Kerr. Jess too picked up 3 wickets and set the tone for the New Zealand bowlers. Lea Tahuhu was introduced late in the piece as the 5th bowling option. And she did not disappoint as she used her skills and made the ball talk against what one must say a weak Bangladesh batting line-up.
Tahuhu first got rid of MST Sumaiya Akhter first to get herself going as Bangladesh lost their 5th wicket at this stage. Very soon, Tahuhu added another as she dismissed Shorna Akter for 1 to leave the innings in tatters at 33/6 in 14 overs after the new ball bowlers had done their job early on. Lea Tahuhu then later came back towards the end and got rid of Nishita Akter Nishi and that was the 9th wicket to fall before Eden Carson got the final wicket to wrap things up.
Tahuhu who came into bowl after the first powerplay picked up 2 wickets in quick succession and kept things under control before coming back late on to pick up the 9th wicket to finish with 3/22 in 6 overs. With Jess Kerr picking up 3 wickets with the new ball and Rosemary Mair playing her first game picked up 2 wickets as well. There was no breathing space for Bangladesh batters who lacked confidence and timid in their approach. But Tahuhu and New Zealand weren’t complaining as they got a very important win in this tournament.
Lea Tahuhu’s experience will be key for New Zealand in this campaign.Â
Lea Tahuhu is no newbie on the block as she brings in a lot of experience to the table. Her experience bowling with the old ball and in the death will be crucial for New Zealand in their campaign. Yes, New Zealand have two new ball bowlers and Tahuhu is no longer needed with the new ball nowadays. But she remains an integral part of the side as she can contribute using the long handle as she scored an unbeaten 12 off 4 balls yesterday. But her primary job is with ball in hand.
Lea Tahuhu can make the older ball talk and showcase her skills to bamboozle the batters. She did well and picked up 3 wickets last night and New Zealand will be hoping she carries on with this good form in the coming games which will be challenging as the race to semi-finals will heat up soon. Tahuhu also bowls well in the death overs and the White Ferns will be banking on her to deliver the goods in the crunch games ahead. She forms a potent pace bowling options for New Zealand.
With Mair and Jess Kerr sharing the new ball, Tahuhu does her job and does it well with the new ball. Tahuhu will have some role to play in Colombo when New Zealand faces Pakistan and Sri Lanka back-to-back games. Those are games New Zealand must win to stay in contention for the semi-finals. Then they have big clashes against India and England which will possibly decide who goes through to the next stage. New Zealand will bank on the experience of Tahuhu to deliver the goods in these crucial clashes and if she does so, then it can go a long way in New Zealand winning and possibly qualifying for the playoffs.
What Lies Ahead.Â
The bandwagon shifts from Guwahati to the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo where 4-time champions England square off against hosts Sri Lanka in a crucial clash. England will start as overwhelming favourites but Sri Lanka playing at home and with home support may trouble the English team. We shall see how the game unfolds when these two teams clash later in the afternoon. Hopefully, the rain stays away from Colombo.
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