Guwahati, Oct 11 (NationPress) New Zealand’s fast bowler Lea Tahuhu revealed that the team’s seamers were “on a mission” to show that fast bowling can succeed on subcontinental pitches after leading the White Ferns to a commanding 100-run victory against Bangladesh in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 held in Guwahati.

In a tournament where spin bowling has been prevalent, Tahuhu, along with fellow bowlers Jess Kerr (3/21 in eight overs) and Rosemary Mair (2/20 in six), showcased an impressive performance to dismantle Bangladesh’s pursuit of 228 runs, bowling them out for 127 in 39.5 overs. Tahuhu herself recorded figures of 3/22 in six overs, earning accolades for her sharp opening spell and control amidst dew conditions.

“As pace bowlers, we probably took that a little bit personally,” Tahuhu stated during the post-match conference. “We noticed that spin was quite dominant here in Guwahati. However, it was about maintaining tight lines and allowing the wicket to assist us.”

“The ball actually skidded on nicely, especially during the second innings. We anticipated that with a bit of dew, there would be opportunities if we targeted the stumps effectively,” she added.

The seasoned bowler commended her fellow pace bowlers, highlighting Mair’s commendable return from injury and Kerr’s precision. “Rosemary Mair's comeback was phenomenal during the power play and set the tone. Jess Kerr was also exceptional in hitting her lines and lengths,” she expressed. “Historically, we’ve been recognized for our pace bowling, and we take pride in adapting to various conditions across different countries.”

Despite having Bangladesh in a precarious position at six wickets down, Tahuhu emphasized the need for the White Ferns to exercise patience as the lower order fought back. “We had them six down early, but it’s been challenging to secure the last few wickets in this tournament. Their number 7 and 8 played pivotal roles, and we had to remain composed. Seeking wickets aggressively in these conditions can lead to trouble,” she explained.

This victory marked New Zealand’s first win in the tournament following two initial defeats, providing a significant boost to their confidence and net run rate as they aim for a spot in the semi-finals. “This win allows us to kickstart our tournament,” Tahuhu remarked. “We couldn’t afford to be 0-3 at the start of a World Cup. We need to move past early losses, especially with back-to-back games approaching.”

“We’ve engaged in productive discussions and training sessions in the last few days, and it was gratifying to deliver a solid performance. We’ll draw valuable lessons from this match as we prepare for our upcoming games,” she concluded.

The White Ferns are set to travel to Colombo for their next matches, facing Sri Lanka on Tuesday and Pakistan on Saturday.