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Dublin: Niall O’Brien fashioned a stylish maiden One-Day International century but it wasn’t enough to prevent New Zealand from carving out a 51-run win over Ireland in the second match of a triangular series in Dublin on Sunday.
Ireland, which had split points with Bangladesh on Friday after rain had the final say, was bowled out for 238 after New Zealand had ridden on half-centuries from George Worker, Ross Taylor and an innings-high 79 from Neil Broom to post 289 for 7 on being put in by William Porterfield.
The host needed a strong start but was pegged back by Scott Kuggeleijn, the debutant fast-medium bowler who accounted for both Porterfield and Paul Stirling, the Irish openers, in his opening spell. At 26 for 2, Ireland needed a steadying hand, and that was provided by Niall and Andy Balbirnie, who put on 86 for the third wicket.
The partnership was halted for nearly three-quarters of an hour by rain with Ireland having reached 93 for 2 in 20 overs, and Balbirnie fell in the fourth over on resumption, caught and bowled by Mitchell Santner, the left-arm spinner who would finish with 5 for 50. Kevin O’Brien fell cheaply, trapped in front by Ish Sodhi, leaving Niall to do all the running.
In Gary Wilson, who slammed 30 off 23, Niall briefly found an able ally during a fifth-wicket stand of 75, but was largely forced to play a lone hand as wickets tumbled around him thereafter. By the time he was eighth man dismissed, Niall had danced his way to 109 off 131 deliveries with nine fours and five sixes. Santner then got rid of Barry McCarthy for his maiden five-for in ODIs, before Seth Rance, the other New Zealand debutant paceman, rounded off the victory by cleaning up last man Peter Chase.
In the morning, Luke Ronchi got New Zealand off to a rapid start with 37 from 26 balls before getting a leading edge to a pull shot and being caught at point off McCarthy's bowling. This one came from his 11th delivery and three balls later, he had his second when Tom Latham, the skipper, was caught behind for 15 to leave New Zealand 55 for 2 in the 10th over.
Niall O’Brien fashioned a stylish maiden One-Day International century but it wasn’t enough to prevent New Zealand from carving out a 51-run win Niall O’Brien fashioned a stylish maiden One-Day International century but it wasn’t enough to prevent New Zealand from carving out a 51-run win
Worker and Taylor, however, were untroubled in the next 20 overs as they added 84 for the third wicket. Worker, in only his third international, was circumspect while Taylor scored at almost a run-a-ball.
Both were dismissed not long after reaching their respective fifties, Taylor caught by the Irish captain at point and Worker, whose 50 took 88 balls with just three fours, holing out to deep mid-wicket.
Broom, whose 79 from 63 balls contained nine fours and a six, ensured a big finish for New Zealand, which scored 130 off the last 15 overs.
The pick of the Ireland bowlers was Kevin O'Brien with 1 for 46 and although George Dockrell, the left-arm spinner, finished wicketless, he conceded only 42 runs.
Brief scores
New Zealand - 289 for 7 (Broom 79, Taylor 52, Worker 50)
Ireland - 238 (N O'Brien 109, Santner 5-50)
Result - New Zealand won by 51 runs
