Bangladesh pummelled

Might it be welcome back Jake?

After barren times with the bat Jacob Oram finally turned on the fireworks in the opening one-day international against Bangladesh at McLean Park in Napier yesterday.

Oram clubbed his way to 83 from just 40 deliveries as New Zealand rattled up 336-9 against a tame attack in perfect batting conditions.

Bangladesh could only muster 190, a victory to the home side by 146 runs.

It's been a long time between drinks for the big all-rounder, who once commanded a place at No5 in the batting order and now resides at No8.

His last decent score was 75 against Bangladesh in Dhaka 16 months ago.

Yesterday, in his 136th ODI, Oram blasted through to his 12th 50 in 28 balls and then he moved into slaughter mode during the five-over batting power play when 82 runs came.

Starting the final over Oram swung merrily at the first ball of the final over bowled by the industrious Shafiul Islam (4-68) and lost his middle stump.

Oram hit eight fours and five sixes and featured in a record seventh wicket against all countries of 123 from 67 balls with Neil Broom (71). The old mark belonged to Adam Parore and Lee Germon, set against Pakistan in Sharjah in 1996.

Besides Oram, debutant Peter Ingram and Broom also had reason to reflect fondly on the day. Ingram has no regard for footwork but eased his way through to 69 before slapping a short wide ball to the cover sweeper.

Not so happy will be Brendon McCullum (0), Martin Guptill (2) and all-rounder James Franklin (2).

Bangladesh's reply in front of a crowd of close to 1800 was rather predictable – a bright start followed by a collapse.

Openers Tamin Iqbal and Imrul Kayes batted splendidly, taking the tourists through to 68-0 after 10 overs but the batsmen that follow have the concentration of schoolchildren.

New Zealand's fielding was sharp, the bowling steady without catching the eye.

In fact the overall performance was not as polished as they would like.

They took 22 balls to score a run off the bat and Tamin (62) and Imrul (33) punished bowling that lacked purpose.

Wellington left-armer Andy McKay made a handy ODI debut. If you believe speedball radars he reached 146kmh in his seventh over, grabbed a couple of wickets and took a fabulous catch in the deep off Oram.

- © Fairfax NZ News