New Zealand set Bangladesh imposing target

An injury-free Peter Fulton led New Zealand to an imposing 335-run total batting first against Bangladesh in their second one-day cricket international at McLean Park here.

Fulton, who missed the recent tours of South Africa and Australia where New Zealand were comprehensively outplayed, scored an impressive 83 off 93 balls.

Opener Jamie How chimed in with 74 and Jacob Oram blasted a rapid 55 off 31 balls as New Zealand made light of the Bangladeshi bowling and scored freely around the ground.

A New Zealand win would wrap up the series with a game in hand after they won the opening match in Auckland on Wednesday by six wickets.

Brendon McCullum was the first batsman to fall, run out by a direct hit from Tushar Imran for 35 with the score at 82, and How and Fulton then put on 65 for the second wicket.

How, still looking for his maiden one day international century after falling for 88 in the first game, was lucky to survive a caught behind appeal when on 12.

He then went on to stroke a dozen boundaries to strengthen his claim for a Test recall. The New Zealand side to play two Tests against Bangladesh is named on Sunday.

Scott Styris joined Fulton to put on 83 for the third wicket before he was well caught by Tushar Imran off the bowling of Farhad Reza for 41.

When Fulton was dismissed 17 runs later, with the score at 246, Ross Taylor and Jacob Oram then attacked the Bangladesh bowlers, who wilted over the final eight overs.

Taylor was not out 34 and Oram, whose 55 included four fours and four sixes, was out on the last ball of the innings, caught in the deep by Tamim Iqbal off the bowling of Mashrafe Mortaza.

For Bangladesh Abdur Razzak took two for 75 and Mushrafe Mortaza finished with one for 66.