2nd T20I, Stormont, July 20, 2022, 08:30 PM
New Zealand
179/4(20.0ov)
Ireland
91/10(13.5ov)
New Zealand beat Ireland by 88 runs
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Dane Cleaver
Commentry
Right then! That's it we have from this one-sided affair! The Kiwis have secured the T20I series as well. But we still have one game to go and Ireland will be eager to get over the line in that game and finish the series with a smile! The third T20I will be played on Friday, 22nd of 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 skipper of New Zealand says that it was a clinical victory, the wicket looked a bit up and down, but the way Dane Cleaver played was outstanding. On Michael Bracewell, he says that there is not a lot that he cannot do at the moment in any format of the game. Ends by saying that he is really happy with this win.
Andy Balbirnie, the skipper of Ireland says that they were never in the game while chasing the target. Mentions that it was just their batting that let them down, and they need to take responsibility. Says that they have come close to them in the ODIs but they have not been playing their best cricket in T20Is, however, they still have one more match to go and they will try to get over the line. Concludes by saying that they have some good teams coming over to Ireland before the World Cup and they have to keep improving day in and day out.
Dane Cleaver is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his unbeaten knock of 78 from just 55 balls! He says that it's a special day and he is happy that he contributed to the win. Mentions that the wicket offered a bit of variation. Says that it was not his most fluent innings but he stuck to his plans. Adds that there is nothing more pleasing for him to play for his country and to contribute to a victory.
Presentation time...
Earlier in the game, the Irish skipper surprisingly decided to bowl first and that did backfire in the end. New Zealand posted a healthy score of 179 on the board courtesy of an unbeaten maiden fifty by Dane Cleaver and handy cameos from the other players. Ireland did bowl well in the death but it was a tough task ahead of them after the first half and they ended up crumbling under pressure.
New Zealand had history behind them as chasing on this ground has always been difficult. However, one needs to execute on the field to get results, and the Kiwis did that to perfection. Lockie Ferguson got the big wicket of Paul Stirling and then two wickets from Jacob Duffy and a run out from Glenn Phillips brought them right on top of this game. Ish Sodhi came into the attack and just killed the chase by taking three wickets in quick succession and Michael Bracewell provided the icing on the cake with a hat-trick to wrap things up.
The chase of 180 was always going to be a stiff one but it was never impossible to do so. However, Ireland just could not show up with the bat in this game. Paul Stirling started off on a positive note but once he departed in the third over, things started going downhill and Ireland went on to lose four wickets in the Powerplay. The hosts were always behind the 8-ball after that and they kept losing wickets. As a result, they folded out for just 91. Mark Adair played an entertaining knock of 27 towards the back end but there was nothing much from the other batters.
The Kiwis have sealed this game and this series with a dominating win! Ireland have been completely outplayed. After a decent show in the ODI series, they have not been able to challenge New Zealand in the T20I series so far.
In over# 14
0W
0W
0W
1
4
Michael Bracewell 5/3(0.5)
13.5
W
OUT! CAUGHT! YES, HE CAN! Hat-trick for Michael Bracewell! He finishes things off in style! Short and wide of off. Craig Young backs away and slices it towards backward point. Ish Sodhi there jumps and takes a good catch to complete Michael Bracewell's hat-trick and to wrap the match up! New Zealand win by 88 runs and seal the series 2-0!
Can Michael Bracewell get a hat-trick?
Josh Little is the last batter in.
13.4
W
OUT! TAKEN! Two wickets in two balls from Michael Bracewell! A similar dismissal like the previous one! A short one, outside off. Barry McCarthy gets low and smashes it towards deep mid-wicket. Glenn Phillips takes a good catch. Michael Bracewell is on a hat-trick now!
Craig Young makes his way out to the middle.
13.3
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Michael Bracewell gets rid of Mark Adair! A flatter delivery on middle. Mark Adair pulls it but does not get enough power behind the shot and ends up hitting it straight down the throat of Glenn Phillips at deep mid-wicket. It has been a fine knock from Adair but the part is over now.
13.2
1
A flatter one on middle. Barry McCarthy works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
13.1
4
FOUR! Another boundary for Ireland! A tossed up delivery on middle. Barry McCarthy slog-sweeps it towards the deep mid-wicket region for a boundary.
In over# 13
4
0
0
1
4
1
James Neesham 10/0(1)