WORLD CUP SUPER 8, GUYANA:
Ireland v New Zealand 263-8
| |
New Zealand opener Peter Fulton fell 17 runs short of a second one-day century as the Kiwis stuttered to 263-8 to give Ireland a sniff of a chance in Guyana. 
Fulton struck a dogged 83 off 110 balls but failed to go on as Ireland punished early sloppiness from the Black Caps.
A host of batsman got in and out, but a late stand of 71 by Brendon McCullum and James Franklin proved crucial.
Kyle McCallan and Andrew White took two wickets apiece on a turning pitch, with Dave Langford-Smith also impressive.
New Zealand coach John Bracewell had stated before the game that his side would be taking Ireland as seriously as anyone in this competition, but their top-order batting left a lot to be desired.
Four of the Kiwis' top five got in and then got out as sloppiness crept into their game, meaning their bowlers will have to do a job to maintain their 100% tournament record so far.
It had all started quite nicely for New Zealand, though, with skipper Stephen Fleming and Fulton shaking off some early stumblings to strike out after winning the toss.
With Boyd Rankin uncharacteristically off-target, Ireland were indebted to Langford-Smith who produced an accurate spell to keep a lid on the Kiwis' scoring.
It was Rankin that made the vital breakthrough though, Fleming slicing him to Will Porterfield at point to leave New Zealand 35-1 inside the sixth over.
That brought Hamish Marshall to the crease and, two fine boundaries aside, the number three looked ill at ease before spooning Langford-Smith to extra cover.
Scott Styris is one Kiwi who has enjoyed a truly fine World Cup so far, but he failed to make the most of a reprieve early in his innings - when he edged Langford-Smith through an empty slip cordon - and fell to a fine slower ball to hand the Irish seamer his second wicket.
Langford-Smith's 2-41 came from an unbroken 10-over spell and the Kiwis' frustration at failing to make the most of three decent starts was evident.
And it was only a precursor for what was to come from Craig McMillan, who fired a huge straight six off Rankin, but fell for a 29-ball 22 when he drilled a McCallam delivery straight at Trent Johnston at gully.
While Fulton remained, though, the Kiwis looked capable of posting a big score, even with he and Oram happy to milk the middle overs for ones and twos.
The pair shared a conservative 54-run partnership but when McCallan (2-35) snared Fulton lbw with a full and flat delivery, New Zealand's hopes of posting a big score looked in trouble.
It got worse for the Kiwis when a short rain delay clearly did for Oram's concentration and the big-hitter drilled White (2-45) to long-on to go for 20.
Ireland were enjoying a dream day in the field, and the Kiwis lost their seventh wicket when Daniel Vettori gloved a leg-side White delivery behind.
It was left to McCullum (47) and Franklin (34 not out) to boost the New Zealand total, but with no boundaries coming in the overs between 36 and 47, their task was a tall one.
The pair accelerated nicely though, striking five fours and three sixes in the final three overs to ensure the Kiwi bowlers have something to defend, despite McCullum holing out on the boundary off Johnston in the final over.
No comments:
Post a Comment