The Black Caps have won their opening ODI match against Bangladesh by 45 runs in Dunedin today thanks in large part to the foundation built by Will Young and skipper Tom Latham.

In a rain-affected match, Young smashed his third ODI century off 82 balls, with Latham hitting 92 off 77 to help New Zealand to a total of 239-7 after three weather delays. The total was adjusted to 245 by the DLS.

The pair put on 171 for the third wicket after the Black Caps were 5-2 in the first over - Bangladesh winning the toss and inserting the hosts on a pitch that was a little lively early on.

However, the tourists couldn't capitalise, and in return they posted 200-9, with Anamul Haque top scoring with 43 and Afif Hossain hitting 38 off 28 balls.

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It meant New Zealand defended its home record of never losing an ODI match against Bangladesh in 17 times of trying, and indeed never losing an ODI at the University Oval.

Young's 105 began in watchful fashion after Rachin Ravindra and Henry Nicholls edged behind for two-ball ducks.

But he and Latham were soon on the attack as they recognised the urgency of the situation; New Zealand's innings shortened first to 46 overs, then 40 and finally 30 after several breaks for rain.

Young was more aggressive after the second rain delay, hitting down the ground for consecutive boundaries, with Latham getting into the act for two fours square of the wicket.

Young brought up the New Zealand 100 in the 19th over with a six, with Latham, dropped on 18, bringing up his half century with a two. One ball earlier he had celebrated his 4000th ODI run.

There were four run outs in total as the Black Caps pushed the pace in the final overs, with Young going to 99 with a big six over midwicket.

“We went out after the rain break and knew we only had 10 overs left so we had some fun,” Young said afterwards of his innings with Latham.

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Young was run out on the second ball of the final over. He had hit a Soumya Sarkar full toss for four and was out next ball when coming back for a second run.

Mark Chapman (20), was the only other Black Caps batter to reach double figures.

New Zealand went into the first of three ODIs against the tourists without Kane Williamson, Tim Southee, Mitchell Santner, Darryl Mitchell, and Devon Conway who are being rested, and Jimmy Neesham, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson who are injured.

New Zealand handed ODI debuts to big-hitting batsman Josh Clarkson and tall fast bowler Will O’Rourke and both tasted success, Clarkson getting his first of two wickets with a caught and bowled and O'Rourke bowling Hasan Mahmud with a yorker off the last ball of the innings for his first international wicket.

Another highlight was Young's catch at the midwicket boundary to dismiss Shoriful Islam off Adam Milne's bowling. Shoriful sent the ball high into the Dunedin gloom and it got away from Young in the final seconds but he stuck out a right hand to snare it just inside the boundary.

Not surprisingly, Young was adjudged the man of the match.

The next two matches of the series will be held in Nelson on Wednesday and Napier on Saturday.

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