GLENN PHILLIPS’ QUICK-fire 69 and four wickets from Lockie Ferguson inspired New Zealand’s 31-run win over Ireland in their opening Twenty20 international on Monday.
Phillips was unbeaten in his 52-ball innings as he smashed seven boundaries in New Zealand’s total of 173 for eight.
Jimmy Neesham kept the runs flowing for New Zealand with a rapid 29 which included a towering six into the sightscreen.
Ferguson turned the screw on Ireland in their chase with impressive figures of 4-14 as the hosts were bowled out for 142 in 18.2 overs.
Ireland, who just missed out on a first ever victory over New Zealand when they lost the final ODI by one run last week, elected to field first in Dublin.
It had looked a solid call when New Zealand opener Finn Allen fell for one in the third over off Joshua Little, who finished with four wickets.
Martin Guptill (24) soon followed after he holed out at long off and Dane Cleaver (five) lasted only seven deliveries on his debut, nicking a length ball from Little behind.
Daryl Mitchell was also dismissed for five off Curtis Campher to leave the tourists struggling at 54 for four in the ninth over.
Phillips nipped Ireland’s threat in the bud with his flamboyant stroke-play and New Zealand got an early breakthrough in the field when Mitchell Santner claimed a fine catch to dismiss Andy Balbirnie for 12.
Black Caps skipper Santner took two wickets with the ball to reduce Ireland to 69 for five in the 10th over.
Campher (29) and Mark Adair (25) gave Ireland faint hope, but Ferguson ensured the chase proved too much for the hosts.
Scores
New Zealand: 173-8 (20 overs) Phillips 69 not out, Little 4-35, Adair 2-49
Ireland: 142 (18.2 overs) Ferguson 4-14, Neesham 2-19, Santner 2-36
New Zealand won by 31 runs
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Good manager that Rodgers lad.
Celtic are a step up from the LOI the SPL is muck they’ve no real competition in it
@Jamie: Bayern would have beaten over half the clubs in the EPL 3-0 as well
@Dave O’Hanlon: very true but you have to admit the standard of the SPL is poor
@Jamie: Eh Arsenal got hammered 5-1 twice last season by Bayern.. Bayerns squad is made up of World Cup and Champions league winners, there’s probably only 5 clubs in Europe who would even stand a chance of beaten them.. Put every single club in the EPL in the same group as Celtic and nearly every single one will come third, the same position Celtic will..
@David Garland: dosent change the fact the spl is crap celtic have no competition there, you could say the same about every league in europe and it would apply to your point here.
@Jamie: and a few steps down from bayern your expert analysis baffles
Celtic need to start Dembele in the next game against Bayern. I’m a massive fan of Griffiths who I think is a better finisher but Dembele has more in his locker to play up front on his own at this level. Once he came on Celtic created a few chances as he was able to control the ball whilst shrugging off Hummels and bring Sinclair into play.
We need to get over these poor starts also. Every game so far we’ve had a poor first half then have been a lot better in the second.
@Ciaran Rice: Celtic wud need to start Neymar,Ronaldo,Messi,Suarez in next game but suspect theyre cup tied!!
Mauling is a bit Much 3-0
Isn’t the worst result
Cliche ridden claptrap as usual from a wannabe big time manager