Cricket World Cup: New Zealand ease to comfortable win over Bangladesh to maintain perfect start

Captain Kane Williamson, playing his first match of the tournament, shone with 78 and Daryl Mitchell smashed an unbeaten 89 as the Kiwis eased past their 246-run target with 43 balls to spare.

The main concern for New Zealand was that Williamson was forced to retire hurt before victory was secured, although it appeared to be because of a blow to the hand rather than a recurrence of his recent knee injury.

Bangladesh also finished without their captain Shakib Al Hasan on the field because of a thigh problem.

New Zealand took control of the game at the outset as Trent Boult removed Litton Das with the first ball of the match.

With the impressive Lockie Ferguson (three wickets for 49 runs) also striking twice early on, Bangladesh slipped into trouble at 56 for four.

Shakib (40) and Mushfiqur Rahim (66) repaired some of the damage in a 96-run stand for the fifth wicket but progress was checked when Ferguson had the skipper caught behind.

Mahmudullah weighed in with an unbeaten 41 from 49 balls but Bangladesh’s 245 for nine never looked competitive against the Black Caps’ powerful top order.

Rachin Ravindra, who already has a hundred and a half-century to his name in the tournament, fell early but Devon Conway (45) and Williamson put New Zealand on course for victory.

Williamson survived being dropped on 27 but hit eight fours and a six before leaving the field for treatment after being struck by a ball thrown by a fielder.

Mitchell held on to complete the job, cracking six fours and four sixes in his 67 balls at the crease.