After a run of three Test series to England and a 3-0 ODI series win over Ireland, including two impressive breakaways, the Twenty20 squad looked much more convincing in their opening meeting against the Irish in Belfast.
The captain of Mitchell Santner rode to a 31 point victory on a difficult wicket with Lockie Ferguson’s mix of accurate pace and agile slower balls too much for the home side who finished 4-14.
New Zealand’s first Twenty20 since November last year, after rain left the only scheduled home game against the Netherlands in March, the win ended a four-game loss to the Black Caps going back to the World Cup final defeat against Australia as they started preparing for the next World Cup in October-November.
Glenn Phillips was the star in a mixed New Zealand attempt with the bat, top scorer with 69 not out on 52 balls, as they reached 173 for eight. Except for 24 of 12 balls from opener Martin Gupt, the rest of the top order failed, with debutant Dane Cleaver, opener Finn Allen and hero Daryl Mitchell of the T20 World Cup semi-finals failing to reach double figures.
James Neesham (29) and Michael Bracewell (21 on debut) provided much-needed support for Phillips in the backend of the innings to ensure the Black Caps hit a respectable total on a sticky pitch, but one that Ireland would have hopes given to chase.
Irish hopes were soon dashed after Ferguson, Jacob Duffy and Santner together managed to clear their top four in the first five overs, leaving the hosts struggling 37 for four with potential match winners Paul Stirling, skipper Andy Balbirnie and Harry Tector back in the pavilion.
From there, Ireland never seemed a serious threat to give chase. Neesham bounced back from taking 11 on his first left to finish 2-19 out of three, while Santner (2-36) and Sodhi (1-36) limited the damage with their spin.
“Obviously it wasn’t easy. I think the way Glenn played, the composure he showed got us to a good score and the bowlers did a pretty good job with an awkward wicket,” Santner said after the win.