Hat-trick for Michael Bracewell as New Zealand register thumping win

MATCH CENTRE

The contrasting start for New Zealand openers

While Finn Allen was quick to get off the blocks, smashing the fourth ball of the innings for a six, and adding five more boundaries in the first four overs, Martin Guptill didn't manage a single boundary in his 17-ball stay that lasted till the ninth over. At the end of the powerplay, New Zealand had 51 on board, largely due to Allen's enterprising 20-ball 35, but the opener fell to Josh Little to give Ireland an opening.

Dane Cleaver sizzles with maiden T20I fifty

In the absence of Kane Williamson, his cousin Dane Cleaver played a very similar role, settling in by making 23 off his first 22 balls before going berserk. Cleaver found support from Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell, but did the bulk of the hitting himself in the second half.

105 runs came off the last 10 overs of the innings as Cleaver went on to make 55 off his last 33 balls. New Zealand set Ireland a target of 180, a total above which Ireland had successfully chased down only twice in their T20I history.

Ireland struggle

Paul Stirling began the run-chase with a third-ball six, but things went downhill for Ireland soon after. Lockie Ferguson, fresh off a brilliant performance in the last game, sent back Stirling while Jacob Duffy removed Andrew Balbirnie and Gareth Delany. Harry Tector was run out in between the twin strikes to leave Ireland tottering at 41/4.

This soon turned into 54/7 as Ish Sodhi picked up three wickets in his first two overs. A late cameo from Mark Adair got Ireland closer to the three-figure mark, but Michael Bracewell had other plans.

A hat-trick for Michael Bracewell

Bracewell can do no wrong on this tour. The off-spinner came into the attack in the 14th over and sent back Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy and Craig Young off successive deliveries to register a hat-trick. Bracewell became the third New Zealand men's player to register a T20I hat-trick after Jacob Oram and Tim Southee. Ireland were bowled out for 91 as New Zealand completed an 88-run win.