Player of the Match
Player of the Match

END OF OVER:
50 | 8 Runs 1 Wkt | IRE: 359/9 (2 runs required, RR: 7.18)

  • Graham Hume7 (11b)
  • Josh Little1 (1b)
  • Blair Tickner10-0-71-1
  • Matt Henry10-0-68-4

Well, that's an end to a series that's felt almost too good to be true. Ireland could have won it 2-1 but ended up being whitewashed. But they have showcased immense development and got people to root for them. as Andy Balbirnie said, it would be great to see them play top teams. But with the ODI Super League not in the next World Cup cycle, chances are they won't. For now though, it's time to rejoice in the cricket that has overwhelmed expectations. Hope you enjoyed the ride and to see you back for the T20Is. It's goodbye from me, Ekanth, my fellow commentator, Deivarayan Muthu, and our scorers, Binoy George and Ranjith.

Stat from Sampath: This is the sixth time a team has lost an ODI after it had two centurions

Scott: "By crickey it is tough" Thanks for linking the lowest margins of victories in terms of runs. The New Zealanders pose with the trophy and cheer along to call it and end of a successful day. That didn't seem to be the case in the last hour and a half, Paul Stirling and Harry Tector had a 179-run stand. There were regular wickets but the big scores and seemingly minor yet significant contributions from McBrine, Tucker, Dockrell, and even Hume and Young who looked reassured in the last couple of overs meant Ireland were in sniffing distance from the target. Unfortunately for them, that's as how far they could get... again! This time, it was due to wickets from Matt Henry, pace of Ferguson, the guile of Santner. In a high-scoring game, they obviously went for runs but created chances, some of which weren't taken. Phillips had a shocker with three drops. But New Zealand had just enough to defend successfully.

Tom Latham, New Zealand Captain: It's been outstanding, credit to the groundstaff for creating a 360 plays 360 track. The wicket was hard and looked good. Credit to Ireland, to Paul and Tector. But we did well in the last ten overs. Every bowler who came in the end had a plan and executed it well. The guys have played great cricket and I'm happy with the way them.

Andy Balbirnie: Ireland Captain: It was an amazing game, we did well to go toe-to-toe with them. Bitter pill to swallow but it was great. The two hundreds were among the best I've seen. Tector has been threatening to do this, getting two in a week is special. Hope he will get more. We want to be playing these teams regularly, two against India and three here. it's a pity we don't play any ODIs for the rest of the year.

Michael Bracewell is the POTS: It's been an amazing series, hats off to Ireland. All three games could have gone either way. It's a privilege to represent the team, hadn't thought of being here now. We wanted 30 points and got it which is great.

Martin Guptill, POTM for his 115: it's been an exciting series, my first time in Ireland, fantastic for the crowd. It was a nice break for ten weeks. We are proud, I felt like I left a few out there. I lost my dad five years ago and it was nice to do this for him.

Sean: "Gutted for Ireland. This is cruel..."

Kalpit: "Five days ago, New Zealand won the match by one wicket. Now they have won the match by one run. Superb series, tough luck Ireland."

Aryan: "NOOOOOOOOOOO.... WHYYYY"

6:42 pm: The heartbreak continues for Ireland. The batters leave in dejection. Hugs and handshakes among the New Zealanders. Kudos to Tickner who kept the final over to eight when he had nine in the bag. He ensured there were no extras via wides or no balls, particularly on the last ball. The Irish tail wagged, the fact that they fell short should not take away from their effort that Dockrell, Tucker, Hume, and Young brought them this close.

49.6
1b
Tickner to Hume, 1 bye, Swings and misses! They take a bye but Ireland fall a run short! It was a slower one into the pitch, well outside off. Hume shuffled across and tried to heave it through midwicket but missed. The keeper got his body behind it, collected the ball and ran in to the stumps and clips off the bails to ensure there is no further run. Tickner raised his hands knowing he'd done it.

Mid-wicket conference between the batters. Lots of fielding changes. Two to tie.

49.5
1
Tickner to Little, 1 run, Heaved again, to deep-midwicket. They look for two as the fielder fumbled but they settle for one. It was on a length and now the debutant has the responsibility of clearing the game last ball.

Final ball?

49.4
W
Tickner to Young, 1 run, OUT, Top-edges a heave, they go for two. The throw is at the keeper's end, where the bails are whipped out. It goes upstairs and replays confirm Young is short. Ireland nine down, it was a length ball that went up to the edge of the circle at midwicket. Young was slow on the turn which meant he fell short.

CA Young run out 6 (8m 3b 1x4 0x6) SR: 200.00

49.3
4
Tickner to Young, FOUR, Dropped by Phillips again and it goes for four! It was on a length outside off, pulled aerially. Phillips ran to his right and the fact he got to it was noteworthy, he tried to take it low to his right but missed. Sadly, he parried it further.
49.2
1
Tickner to Hume, 1 run, Slow on a length outside off, Hume went across and heaved at it. It ballooned off the edge to the acreage at midwicket. Fielders converge to deny two.
49.1
0
Tickner to Hume, no run, Swings and misses. It was short, slow and wide. Hume tried the cut and got beaten.

Tickner is the bowler as the visitors have exhausted the others. 10 to get, 2 wickets in hand.

END OF OVER:
49 | 7 Runs 1 Wkt | IRE: 351/8 (10 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 7.16, RRR: 10.00)

  • Graham Hume6 (8b)
  • Craig Young1 (1b)
  • Matt Henry10-0-68-4
  • Blair Tickner9-0-64-1
48.6
1
Henry to Hume, 1 run, They steal a single, it was a back of length ball at the hips. Hume tried to flick it, got an inside edge and it ricocheted off the pads to the offside just outside the pitch on a full length. The bowler ran in but could not stop it.
48.5
1
Henry to Young, 1 run, Back of length outside off, inside edges a gentle cut in front of square for one. 350 up for Ireland, brings out cheers of "Ireland" among the fans!

Ireland 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st7A BalbirniePR Stirling
2nd55PR StirlingAR McBrine
3rd179PR StirlingHT Tector
4th30HT TectorGJ Delany
5th7C CampherHT Tector
6th32LJ TuckerHT Tector
7th10GH DockrellLJ Tucker
8th28GH DockrellGI Hume
9th9CA YoungGI Hume
10th2GI HumeJB Little