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Tom Latham-led New Zealand handed Ireland their back-to-back defeat in the second One Day International match on Tuesday (July 12) to seal the three-match series 2-0.
Riding on multi-starrer show which saw Michael Bracewell's all-round display 42 off 40 & 2/26), Latham's half-century (55 off 73) and Finn Allen's decent knock (60 off 58), Blackcaps defeated Ireland by three wickets.
Meanwhile, Mark Adair’s early heroics could not prevent Ireland succumbing to Kiwis.
Adair took the wickets of Martin Guptill and Will Young with the first two balls of the Kiwi innings as they set about chasing down the hosts' modest 216.
But a fine 60 from Finn Allen soon steadied the visitors and they cruised to a victory which also sealed the series with one game remaining.
Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry each helped themselves to two wickets as New Zealand immediately set about the Irish attack.
Under pressure, it was only a fine 74 from George Dockrell and a gutsy unbeaten 27 from Adair that enabled Ireland to amass a reasonable total.
But rising Irish hopes after the dramatic start to the New Zealand innings soon fell away as the Black Caps composed themselves and Tom Latham joined Allen in earning a half-century.
A middle-order wobble made the result far from certain until Bracewell translated his fine form with the ball to the bat, with his unbeaten 42 carrying the tourists over the line with 71 balls to spare.
“Winning the toss was pretty crucial, it was a great performance. Henry and Jacob Duffy did a brilliant job at the stop, then the ball was turning as well. Very happy to restrict them to 216. Then the way Finn Allen played was really positive. It was a bit of a shaky start, but we were able to put the pressure back on them. Michael showed great composure once again, to be not out once again in a role that's new to him is very confident for the team, hopefully he can continue this,” Kiwi skipper Tom Latham said after the match.
Earlier, Bracewell’s heroics led New Zealand to victory by one wicket in the opening game and his unbeaten 42 carried the tourists over the line again with 71 balls to spare.
