Six down, five to go.
The Black Caps were pushed at times in their two white-ball series against Ireland, but came away with six wins from six games – three in one-day internationals and three in Twenty20s.
Now there will be three in Scotland – two T20s and an ODI – and two in the Netherlands – both T20s – where they will try to maintain their perfect track record against non-test playing countries.
Ben Whitley/INPHOE
The Black Caps celebrate a wicket in their third T20 win against Ireland.
With lead batters Kane Williamson and Devon Conway and lead sailors Trent Boult and Tim Southee absent from these games against European minnows, other players had to raise their hands.
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They include all-rounder Glenn Phillips, who played the outstanding innings for the second time in three games as the Black Caps won the final of the T20 series at Stormont in Belfast on Friday by six wickets [Saturday NZ time].
His 56 not 44 ball innings had only two limits – a four and a six – but included eight deuces, putting his head down as he ran between the wickets.
Four days after hitting seven fours and a six en route to making 69 out of 52 in the series opener, it was an impressive display of adaptability.
“We talk about it a lot – our running between the wickets,” Phillips said during the post-match presentation, where he was named man of the match and man of the series.
“It’s always something where we can keep the energy up throughout the innings.
“It’s almost an attitude thing for us. We’ve really tried to move that forward, especially now that a World Cup in Australia comes with big limits. ”
Phillips was joined by Daryl Mitchell, who made 48 out of 32, and Jimmy Neesham, who was out on 23 out of six, as the Black Caps came home with one to spare behind 175.
Ben Whitley/INPHO/Photosport
Glenn Phillips made an unbeaten 56 out of 42 as the Black Caps won the third T20 against Ireland.
Dane Cleaver, who made an unbeaten 78 at 55 in the second matchand Lockie Ferguson, who took 4-14 the first matchwere other key figures in the T20 clean sweep, which also included a hat-trick for Michael Bracewell.
Captain Mitchell Santner said: “It’s a credit to our depth the moment these guys come in and come right up.
“A few big names aren’t here, but with the guys coming in and taking their chances, it’s excellent.”
The Black Caps were pushed hard by Ireland in the ODI series, win the first match by one wicket and the third with one runbut had it easier in the T20s.
They now move to Edinburgh for their three games against Scotland, including a one-off ODI which they will navigate with their T20-focused squad, then head to The Hague to play against the Netherlands.
Among those looking forward to those games are batter Mark Chapman, left arm wrist spinner Michael Rippon – who is eyeing his New Zealand debut, having previously played for the Netherlands – and sailor Ben Sears.
The trio did not feature in the T20s against Ireland, where the only change made was for Blair Tickner to replace Ferguson for the third match.
The Black Caps played against Scotland five times, winning three ODIs and two T20s – most recently at last year’s T20 World Cup.
They also played against the Netherlands five times, winning four ODIs – including three in New Zealand in April – and a lone T20 at the 2014 World Cup.
Black Caps – European White Ball Matches
All NZ time.
1st ODI against Ireland: Won by one wicket
2nd ODI against Ireland: Won by three wickets
3rd ODI against Ireland: Won with one run
1st T20 v Ireland: Won by 31 runs
2nd T20 v Ireland: Won by 88 runs
3rd T20 v Ireland: Won by six wickets
Thursday 28 July, 1.30 am: 1st T20 v Scotland; The Grange, Edinburgh
Saturday, July 30, 1:30 AM: 2nd T20 v Scotland; The Grange, Edinburgh
Sunday 31 July, 10 p.m.: Only ODI against Scotland; The Grange, Edinburgh
Friday, August 5, 3:00 a.m.: 1st T20 v Netherlands; VCC Ground, The Hague
Saturday, August 6, 3:00 a.m.: 2nd T20 v Netherlands; VCC Ground, The Hague