Seamer Jimmy Neesham spearheaded New Zealand to a seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan in Saturday’s World Cup match in Taunton.
- ODI career best figures for Neesham
- New Zealand win third successive match this World Cup
- Afghanistan stay at the bottom alongside South Africa
Neesham’s five-wicket haul limited Afghanistan to 172 all out, after which an unbeaten 79 from captain Kane Williamson and former skipper Ross Taylor’s complementary contribution ensured triumph with all of 17.5 overs to spare. Seamer Aftab Alam took all three New Zealand wickets.
The result consolidated New Zealand’s position at the top of the 2019 tournament’s 10-team standings, while Afghanistan remained 10th, below ninth-placed South Africa. Both have suffered three defeats in as many attempts.
Neesham’s five for 31 marked the best figures of a solid ODI career, surpassing the four for 32 claimed against Bangladesh in Dhaka six years ago. He also bettered Australian Mitchell Starc’s five for 46 taken against the West Indies in Nottingham two days ago, to claim the best figures of this World Cup so far.
Right-armer Neesham was well supported by fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, who secured a telling four-wicket haul. Ferguson has been recorded among the fastest bowlers at this World Cup, alongside England’s Jofra Archer and others.
Saturday’s other World Cup fixture saw England beat Bangladesh on the back of a big century from opening batsman Jason Roy and three wickets apiece Archer and all-rounder Ben Stokes. Sunday will see India play Australia at The Oval in London.
Photo: Getty Images
