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Ireland’s Harry Tector made headlines after an unbeaten half-century against India in the first rain-curtailed T20I last month. Tector impressed India’s stand-in T20I skipper Hardik Pandya for hit six-hitting ability. Exactly two weeks later, Tector has justified the praise with his maiden ODI century against New Zealand.
Tector’s mature knock
Tector had to walk out to bat early in the innings after both Irish openers Paul Stirling and skipper Andrew Balbirnie got out for a single-digit scores. Before taking on the bowlers, Tector got Ireland's innings back on track with Andy McBrine. The two shared a 60-run partnership for the third wicket. The 22-year-old reached his half-century from 71 deliveries.
All-rounder Curtis Campher scored at a good rate and contributed well to the 94-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Campher lost his wicket to part-time spinner Glenn Phillips. He missed his half-century and got out for a 47-ball 43. In the 42nd over, Tector hit four consecutive boundaries to reach his maiden ODI century. He took 109 deliveries to breach the three figures, 38 more after getting to his half-century.
Tector continued to dominance Tickner but got out in the 44th over after a top edge landed in Martin Guptill's hands. He scored 113 runs from 117 deliveries including 14 fours and three sixes. The 22-year-old's 113-run knock is the highest ODI score for Ireland against New Zealand. Only Stirling had scored an ODI century against the Kiwis before.
Thanks to Tector's century followed by Simi Singh's cameo in slog overs, Ireland managed to post 300/9 on the board after Tom Latham won the toss and opted to field first.
Hardik’s inspiring words
"If you can manage that, I'm sure he's going to be around not just in the IPL, but in all the leagues in the world. Some of the shots Harry played had me in awe. Look forward to him developing and taking Irish cricket forward," Hardik had said after Tector dominated Indian bowlers in 12 overs per side game.
Tector’s impressive run
After playing 21 ODIs, Tector has 783 runs to his name at an average of 46.06 including one century and seven half-centuries. In the last seven innings, he has delivered with four half-centuries and one century for Ireland.
Heartbreak for Ireland
Despite posting a challenging total and reducing New Zealand for 153/6 in 30th over, Ireland lost the match in a last over thriller as Michael Bracewell delivered a record-breaking performance. Bracewell scored 127 not out to save Kiwis home with one wicket in hand and one ball to spare.
