NZ vs IRE 1st T20: Team New Zealand’s 2 of the most dependable players Glenn Philips with the bat and Lockie Ferguson with the ball star in the first T20 to guide New Zealand win the series opener against Ireland at Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast.
Philips, who walked into the crease when New Zealand was in trouble after losing 3 for just 38, soaked all the pressure and played a blistering knock of 69 off just 52 deliveries and remained not out till the very end of the innings to help the visitors post 173 on board in 20 overs.
After Philips’s heroics with the bat, Ferguson took charge with the ball and took 4 wickets by giving just 14 runs in 3.2 overs to hand New Zealand a comfortable victory.
NZ vs IRE 1st T20 Match Highlights:
After giving a tough fight to New Zealand in one-day internationals, the highly charged Ireland invited the visitors to bat first in the first T20I, and their decision turned out to be right when they dismissed the top 4 batters of New Zealand at just 54.
Glenn Philips and Jimmy Neesham then added 46 runs for the sixth wicket before Neesham after playing a quick knock of 29 off 16 got out on the last ball of the 14th ball.
The young sensation Michael Bracewell then took the center stage and played a cameo of 21 in 13 to add a few more important runs on board before Joshua Little got rid of him. Philips, on the other hand, continued his work and even though wickets were falling on the other end he continues to make his best efforts to guide New Zealand to post a good total on board.
Chasing a target of 174, Ireland witnessed a fast start but suddenly they lost momentum and wickets kept falling down in quick succession and they go all out for 142 runs to hand New Zealand a 1-0 lead in a three-match series.
NZ vs IRE 1st T20: Man of the Match
Glenn Philips was awarded the honor of the man of the match for first building the stumbling innings of visitors and later scored quick runs and remained unbeaten (69 off 52) till the very end to guide his side put 173 on board.
The second match will take place on Wednesday, July 20 at the same venue.
