1st T20I, Stormont, July 18, 2022, 08:30 PM

173/8(20.0ov)
142/10(18.2ov)

New Zealand beat Ireland by 31 runs

Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
69
52
7
1
132.69
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Glenn Phillips
Commentry
That is it from this game then! The Kiwis are yet to be beaten in this tour. Ireland will have two more chances as there are two T20Is left. The next one is a must-win for them if they are to stay in this series. The second T20I will be played on the 20th July, the game is all set to begin at 8.30 pm IST (3.00 pm GMT). But as you all know our build-up will begin in advance. Do join us then. For now, it's goodbye!
Mitchell Santner the captain of New Zealand says that it was not easy to bat, but the way Glenn Phillips played was exceptional. He show great composure and batted well along with James Neesham on a niggly wicket. Mentions that if it was not for Glenn Phillips, they would probably have only 140 on the board which would not have been enough. Mentions that Lockie Ferguson bowled well, and he showed everyone how good he can bowl on this sluggish wicket.
Andy Balbirnie the skipper of Ireland says that they started off well, and bowled well in the Powerplay. But New Zealand batted well and set an above-par total. Mentions that they had a really poor Powerplay while coming to bat, and that took the game away from them. Adds that they had decent partnerships in the middle but nothing substantial.
Glenn Phillips is the Player of the Match. He says that Ireland did bowl upfront, but the wicket was a bit sticky. Mentions that it was a good recovery from them after the start they good and he thought that 150 was a par score, so it was good to get over 170.
Stay tuned for the presentation...
Early on in the match, Ireland won the toss and put the Kiwis to bat first. They too started well with the ball but gave away a few runs towards the end which helped New Zealand set a target of 174. While coming to bat, none of their batters found any sort of rhythm, and they started falling like a pack of cards and were eventually dismissed for 142.
After posting a total of 173 on the board, the visitors got off to a perfect start. They destroyed the top order of Ireland and put them under the pump early on. Lockie Ferguson did the damage earlier on which really dampened the chances of the home side. The Irish did manage to get after the spinners but it was the pacers who kept their cool and helped them to take a 1-0 lead. Lockie Ferguson ended with 4 wickets, while Mitchell Santner and James Neesham both grabbed two wickets.
Ireland started the innings positively. Andy Balbirnie played some fine strokes but he perished soon and three wickets followed him thereafter. There were some decent knocks from a few middle and lower-order batters but someone needed to kick on that is what did not happen. Mark Adair though did keep their hopes alive while he was there but it was too much to ask from him.
A comfortable win in the end for the Kiwis! That innings from Glenn Phillips made the difference! 170-plus on this wicket was always going to be a tough task and if you lose four in the Powerplay, it gets tougher.
In over# 19
0W
1wd
1
Lockie Ferguson 14/4(3.2)
18.2
W
OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Lockie Ferguson wraps things off! He takes his fourth wicket of the game! A shorter ball, down the leg side. Craig Young looks to get away from that one, but the ball flicks his gloves and goes towards the keeper. Dane Cleaver takes another good catch. The umpire raises his finger immediately after an appeal there, Craig Young though reviews. UltraEdge shows a slight spike as the ball passes the gloves. The on-field decision stays! New Zealand win by 31 runs!
18.2
1wd
Wide! Sliding down leg, a length ball. Craig Young misses his flick and a wide is called!
18.1
1
A fuller ball, around middle. Josh Little manages to get an inside edge onto his pads and towards point. Single taken!
In over# 18
0
1
1
1
0
4
Jacob Duffy 22/1(3)
17.6
.
Angling in, on a length, sliding down leg. Craig Young looks to flick this but he misses and gets hit on his pads. An appeal for LBW, but the umpire says no. New Zealand opt for a review. Nothing on UltraEdge. Ball Tracking indicates it was sliding down leg. A review wasted here! Ireland need 34 runs off 12 balls.
17.5
1
Very full this time, outside off. Josh Little drives it through cover for a single.
17.4
1
On a length, outside off. Craig Young guides it to the fielder at short third man. Another run.
17.3
1
A slower ball, low full toss, around off. Josh Little drives it towards cover for a single.
17.2
.
Slower ball, outside off, on a length. Josh Little looks to have a poke at it but he gets beaten on the outside edge.