Live online video will be the easiest way to watch New Zealand vs. Bangladesh in the final 2015 Cricket World Cup group stage match for both teams — but even though each side has already secured its place in the knockout stage, both nations still have plenty to play for in the match that will see the two sides square off in Hamilton, New Zealand, on March 13.
In the United States, first ball in the the New Zealand Bangladesh match will be be bowled in the evening of March 12.
For New Zealand, the favorites to win the whole tournament this year, the Bangladesh match represents a chance to keep their undefeated record and stay sharp before what could be more than a week-long layoff before the Cricket World Cup quarter finals, which take place between March 18 and March 21.
“It’s a great opportunity to finish off a pretty good campaign so far. There’s a lot of motivation in the side and we’re all looking forward to it,” New Zealand’s star swing bowler, Trent Boult, told the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper. “Everyone is pretty pumped to be here.”
Boult appeared to quell speculation that New Zealand might make several changes, featuring a lineup of mainly bench players, as they have nothing to play for in their final Pool B match. With five wins in five matches — bowling out every opponent they’ve faced — New Zealand’s 10 points clinched them the top spot in their group, and a likely quarter final against overachieving Ireland — which should provide a clear path to the 14-team tournament’s Final Four.
But in the Bangladesh side, New Zealand will be facing an 11, playing not only to stay in shape and take a shot at one more upset after their momentous ousting of England by 15 runs on Monday — the Bangladesh team is carrying the hopes of a troubled country on its shoulders.
In Bangladesh, where the government is besieged by protests , bombings, and strikes on what seems like a daily basis — and about 100 people have died in the crisis this year alone — all turmoil came to a halt Monday as the bitterly divided nation came together to celebrate the incredible cricketing triumph.
Opposition leaders in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party called at least a temporary halt to their anti-government campaign, calling it “an unforgettable triumph” as the country’s national cricket team broke through to the World Cup quarter finals for the first time in its history.
UPDATE March 12: A list of live online video sites for all Cricket World Cup 2015 matches can be accessed at this link . CricHD will also stream the New Zealand vs. Bangladesh match at this link .
For a $99.99 fee, the New Zealand vs. Bangladesh match and live online video for all remaining matches in the 2015 Cricket World Cup will be streamed by ESPN at this link . Subscribing to the ESPN package also allows the option of viewing matches on a TV using the Roku set-top box, as well as on mobile devices by downloading the ESPN Cricket app.
[Image: Hannah Peters/Getty Images]