Corey Anderson bludgeoned 94 off 41 balls, including a New Zealand record 10 sixes in a T20 innings, at the Bay Oval yesterday. Photo: AFP

Corey Anderson might have started a bit slow yesterday, but he provided an ending that destroyed any chances of the Tigers getting a solitary win in the limited-overs leg of the New Zeland tour yesterday. It took 17 balls to score his first 22 runs, and he did seem a bit edgy against the spinners initially, but he more than made up for that by smashing 94 off 41 balls. With his 10 sixes, he almost single-handedly took the game away from the visitors.

Speaking to reporters after the game yesterday he said that the innings had given him a sense of reassurance, having returned to the game following an injury.

“An innings like this probably just reassures you. You go through periods when you don't get runs and then you start questioning yourself. I think when you hit an innings like this you can relax a bit,” said Anderson.

“It's nice to come back after two low scores and putting a big total on the board,” he added.

For the third consecutive time in the T20I series, Bangladesh lost a game after getting a good start. Yesterday, they had taken early wickets against the Black Caps and were in pole position after 10 overs. However, just like the last two games, the hosts managed to cruise home quite comfortably towards the end.

It was something that Anderson acknowledged yesterday.

“I think the outcome of the scores is not a great sign of how competitive it has been. You kind of are never out of the game. I think the wins reassured the boys that you have got to stay on task and stick to the plan and not give them an inch,” said Anderson.

Anderson, who is in the team as a specialist batsman, also said that he hopes to start bowling soon.