File photo of Lockie Ferguson© Twitter
Glenn Phillips’ quick-fire 69 and four wickets from Lockie Ferguson inspired New Zealand’s 31-run win over Ireland in their first Twenty20 international on Monday. Phillips was undefeated in his 52-ball innings when he broke seven boundaries in New Zealand’s total of 173 for eight. Jimmy Neesham kept the runs flowing for New Zealand with a fast 29, including a towering six in sight.
Ferguson turned the screw on Ireland in their pursuit with impressive numbers of 4-14, while the hosts were knocked out for 142 in 18.2 overs.
Ireland, which just missed a first-ever win over New Zealand when they lost the final ODI by one run last week, opted to field first in Dublin.
It looked like a solid call when New Zealand opener Finn Allen fell for one in the third to Joshua Little, who finished with four wickets.
Martin Guptill (24) soon followed after he scooped out at long distance and Dane Cleaver (five) took just seven deliveries on his debut, netting a long ball from Little behind.
Daryl Mitchell was also fired for five from Curtis Campher to let the tourists struggle at 54 for four in the ninth over.
Phillips nipped Ireland’s threat with his flamboyant stroke play and New Zealand broke through early on the field when Mitchell Santner claimed a fine flyout to sack Andy Balbirnie for 12.
Black Caps skipper Santner took two wickets with the ball to reduce Ireland to 69 for five in the 10th over.
promoted
Campher (29) and Mark Adair (25) gave Ireland a faint hope, but Ferguson made sure the chase became too much for the hosts.
(This story was not edited by DailyExpertNews staff and was generated automatically from a syndicated feed.)
Topics mentioned in this article
