IRE vs NZ 3rd T20I Commentary - Stormont (22 July 2022)

Direct hit...but James Neesham is well in! Shorter one, around middle. Glenn Phillips mistimes his pull shot as the ball rushes into him. The ball goes towards mid on and the batters scampers across to the other end. The fielder there scores a direct hit at the striker's end but the replay shows that James Neesham is home safely! 

FOUR! Josh Little drops it short again, around middle. James Neesham goes for the pull shot but the ball flies towards fine leg off the top edge for a boundary. 

On a length, around off. James Neesham punches it off the back foot Glenn Phillips. The ball hits him on his legs and goes towards cover for a single. 

Back of a length,a round middle. Glenn Phillips pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single. 

FOUR! Another edgy boundary from James Neesham! Full and outside off. James Neesham swings his bat and looks to go over cover but the ball goes off the outside edge towards third man for a boundary. New Zealand are one away!

SIX! BOOM! This one is from the middle of the bat! James Neesham wraps up the match in style! A fuller one, around middle. James Neesham dispatches this high over deep mid-wicket for a biggie! New Zealand win by 6 wickets and they complete yet another series whitewash! 

Two again! On a length, around middle and leg. Glenn Phillips knocks it towards long on for a brace. 

Another couple of runs! Glenn Phillips is unstoppable at the moment! Shorter one, around middle. Glenn Phillips pulls it towards deep square leg for a two. That will be fifty for Glenn Phillips! What a knock this has been so far., he will want to get his team over the line here. His second of the series!

Fuller one, angling in, around middle. Glenn Phillips flicks it to the fielder at mid-wicket.

In the air.. but safe! A bouncer, slow in pace, around middle. Glenn Phillips looks to pull this but the ball goes off the top edge and falls in no man's land at short fine leg. Two taken! 

Width on offer now, shorter one. Glenn Phillips cuts it towards deep point for a single. 

SIX! Up, up and away! Full and in the slot, around middle. James Neesham smashes this one over deep mid-wicket for a biggie! New Zealand need 12 runs off 12 balls now.

FOUR! Edgy runs! On a length, around off. Daryl Mitchell looks to hoick this one but the ball goes off the inside edge, away from the off pole and towards fine leg for a boundary. 

Another good-length delivery, around off. Daryl Mitchell miscues his pull shot towards deep mid-wicket. Only a single.

Pitches it up this time, around middle and off. Glenn Phillips lifts it towards long on. The fielder there collects the ball after a couple of bounces! Single taken. 

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Josh Little comes into the attack and provides the much-needed breakthrough to Ireland! He hits the deck hard as he serves a short one, around middle and off. Daryl Mitchell pulls this one but the ball goes off the top edge and flies high in the vacant mid-wicket region. Josh Little runs across, keeps his eyes on the ball, and grabs it safely. Good catch from Josh Little! Daryl Mitchell departs after a fine knock.

Short one again, around off. Glenn Phillips pulls it towards deep square leg for a single. 

Good running! On a length now, around middle and leg. James Neesham flicks it towards mid-wicket. They run the first one fast and comes back for the second one. There is a throw at the bowler's end but Glenn Phillips is very quick. He is well in!

Slower one, short in length and outside off. Daryl Mitchell miscues his pull towards long on for a single. 

Lovely delivery! Yorker length, on middle. Glenn Phillips squeezes it out towards point and runs across to the other end for a single. 

FOUR! Not from the middle of the bat but that's in the gap! A short ball, around middle. Daryl Mitchell swivels and miscues his pull shot away from the fine leg fielder from a boundary. 

Takes the pace off again, serves a half-tracker, around middle. Daryl Mitchell knocks it towards long on for a single. 

A low full toss, slow again, around off. Glenn Phillips drives towards deep cover for a run.

Slower again, on a length, around middle. Daryl Mitchell drags it with the inner half of his bat towards deep mid-wicket for a single. New Zealand 34 runs off 24 balls!

WIDE! Curtis Campher strays down leg and has been called wide once again.

SIX! Bang! Much-needed maximum for New Zealand! That's full and in the slot, around middle. Daryl Mitchell tonks it high over long on for a biggie!

FOUR! 10 off 2 deliveries now for Daryl Mitchell! Short one this time, around middle and off. Daryl Mitchell pulls it firmly in the gap between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a boundary. 

This is short and outside off, Daryl Mitchell knocks this towards deep square leg for a single. That is some great sound of ball hitting the bat!

What a delivery from Curtis Campher! Serves a quick delivery aimed for the head, Glenn Phillips looks to pull and gets an edge onto his helmet. The helmet goes flying off and lands at his feet. He kicks it towards point to stop it from going in the stumps and then runs across for a single as the ball rolls over towards fine leg. Seems to be okay as he goes across to collect his helmet.

This is a fraction short outside off, Daryl Mitchell punches this towards long off for a single.

SIX! Glenn Phillips gets into his forties! This partnership seems to be taking New Zealand home! Curtis Campher serves this full outside off, Glenn Phillips lifts this over long on for a biggie! 15 runs of the over and New Zealand need 43 runs to win off the last 5 overs.

Barry McCarthy begins with a slower delivery on a good length outside off, Glenn Phillips guides this to third man for a single.

This is on a good length and in line with the stumps, Daryl Mitchell clips this past square leg for a single.

This one is full and angling into the pads, Glenn Phillips looks to work this leg side and gets a leading edge towards cover. They take a quick single and the throw at the non-striker's end is off target. They respond quickly and take an overthrow as the ball goes to the deep.

On a length, around middle and leg. Glenn Phillips flicks it towards square leg for a single. 

Serves a good length delivery slower in the air and outside off, Daryl Mitchell goes to play this offside and gets beaten by the pace.

WIDE! Strays down leg side on a good length. Daryl Mitchell leaves it alone and is been called wide by the umpire.

This one is banged in short outside off, Daryl Mitchell pulls this to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Craig Young begins with a short delivery outside off, Glenn Phillips pulls this hard to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! What a shot from Daryl Mitchell! Craig Young serves this full and on off, Daryl Mitchell punches this to the right of the bowler and beats the long on fielder to the boundary! He stands and keeps his pose to admire the shot!

Serves this short and in line with the stumps, Daryl Mitchell pulls this towards fine leg for a single.

This is short outside off, Glenn Phillips looks to pull this and gets an inside edge towards deep square leg for a single.

Good bouncer this time as it is served outside off, Daryl Mitchell looks to pull and misses.

Back of a length and outside off, Daryl Mitchell covers this line off the ball and taps it towards long on. They quickly rush across for a brace. Good running from this pair.

Gareth Delany serves this full and angling down leg, Glenn Phillips clips this towards fine leg for three runs.

This is straight and full, Daryl Mitchell shimmies down the wicket and clips it towards mid-wicket and looks for a brace. Glenn Phillips sends him back.

This one is short and on middle, Glenn Phillips pulls this to the left of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

This is served full and on middle and leg, Glenn Phillips clips this towards mid-wicket where a misfield allows a single.

Quicker delivery bowled full on middle, Daryl Mitchell clips this towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Gareth Delany goes short outside off, Glenn Phillips goes back in his crease and stands tall to punch it down to long on for a single.

Josh Little serves this on a good length outside off, Daryl Mitchell fends this towards point.

This is on a good length as well and closer to the off stump, Daryl Mitchell pulls this towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Serves this wider outside off on a good length. Glenn Phillips slashes at the ball and misses.

Good-length delivery in line with the stumps, Glenn Phillips mistimes his pull towards deep square leg for a single.

Josh Little serves this full on middle and leg, Daryl Mitchell taps this towards backward square leg for a single.

This one is delivered on a good length and angling away from the batter. Glenn Phillips knocks this towards deep point and takes a run. Just 4 runs of the over and New Zealand still need 88 runs to win!

Leg bye! A shorter one, an arm ball, darting it on the pads. Daryl Mitchell misses his flick and the ball runs away towards short fine leg off his pads. The keeper cuts it out. Leg bye taken!

Wide! Full and down the leg side. Glenn Phillips looks to sweep this one but he misses. Wide called! 

Good running! Shorter ball, drifting in, around middle. Glenn Phillips works it away towards mid-wicket off the back foot. Two taken! 

Back of a length, outside off. Glenn Phillips pulls it along the ground towards deep mid-wicket for a single. 

Outside off again, fraction short this time. Daryl Mitchell taps it off the back foot towards cover for a single. 

Flatter and quicker, around middle. Glenn Phillips knocks it to long on for a single. 

On the pads now, quick as well, short in length. Daryl Mitchell works it away towards square leg for a single. At the halfway mark, New Zealand are 83 for 3!

This is delivered on a good length and just outside off, Daryl Mitchell gets across the stumps and clips it past mid-wicket for a single.

Shorter one, and outside off. Glenn Phillips pulls it towards Harry Tector at deep mid-wicket for a single. 

On a length, angling in, outside off. Daryl Mitchell dabs it towards short third man.

Pitches it up and outside off. Daryl Mitchell drives it down to long on and takes a couple of runs.

FOUR! Poor delivery and Daryl Mitchell latches on to it! Short and down the leg side. Daryl Mitchell pulls it gently and very fine towards fine leg for a boundary. 

Fuller now, outside off. Daryl Mitchell knocks it down to long on and takes a single. He retains the strike!

Tight single! A shorter one, spinning away, around off. Glenn Phillips knocks it towards cover and scampers across to the other end. Martin Guptill dives in to make his ground! 

Back of a length, drifting in, around middle. Martin Guptill flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single. 

DROPPED! Harry Tector the culprit! A good effort though! A short ball, around middle. Glenn Phillips pulls this one but the ball goes off the top edge and towards deep mid-wicket. Harry Tector runs across, gets his hands to the ball and spills it out. Two taken! 

PUT DOWN AGAIN! This was much easier! A fuller one, around off. Glenn Phillips lifts it towards long off. Barry McCarthy runs forward, settles under it, and put fails to grab the ball. A single this time! Ireland cannot afford these drop catches!  

OUT! TAKEN! This time they hold on to it! George Dockrell eventually gets a wicket! A big, big wicket. Martin Guptill departs! A fuller one, slower through the air, around middle. Martin Guptill gets down on his knee and looks to sweep this one but the ball goes off his top edge and towards short fine leg. Josh Little pouches it safely. New Zealand lose their third wicket!

George Dockrell serves this full and angling into the batter, Daryl Mitchell clips this towards short fine leg and rushes across for a single.

FOUR! Streaky boundary! On a length, outside off. Glenn Phillips leans to drive but the ball goes off the outside edge and towards third man for a boundary. 

Beaten! On a length, this one nips back in, around off, it stays low as well. Glenn Phillips looks to push this one but he misses due to the lack of bounce. 

Beaten once again! Another length ball, this one tails back in sharply. Glenn Phillips gets beaten on his inside edge this time. 

Shorter one, around off. Glenn Phillips pulls this towards the fielder at deep mid-wicket for a single. 

On a length, and on thee pads. Martin Guptill flicks it towards deep mid-wicket. Only a single. 

Darting this one around the thigh pad, a length ball. Glenn Phillips tucks it towards fine leg for a run. He retains the strike! 

Barry McCarthy begins with a length ball, outside off. Glenn Phillips guides it down to third man for a brace. 

Drops it short now, outside off. Glenn Phillips pulls this one towards deep square leg for a single. 

On a length, down the leg side. Martin Guptill makes room and looks to flick this away, but he misses. The ball deflects off his pads and goes towards the keeper. A stifled appeal there for caught behind, but the umpire is not interested! 

Full, and on the pads. Martin Guptill leans forward and flicks it through square leg for a single.

Another one on the pads, full in length. Glenn Phillips works it away through square leg. Single taken!

FOUR LEG BYES! On a length, darting it on thigh pads. Martin Guptill looks to flick this away but he misses. The ball brushes off his thigh pads and runs away towards fine leg for a boundary. New Zealand are 53 for 2 at the end of the Powerplay! 

OUT! CAUGHT! Josh Little strikes on his first delivery! Serves this short outside off, Dane Cleaver looks to pull this hard but find the fielder at deep square leg. Curtis Campher does not even have to move as he takes an easy catch. New Zealand have lost their second.

Back of a length, outside off, angling away. Glenn Phillips leaves it alone.

Another length delivery, outside off. Glenn Phillips stays in his crease and taps it towards point for a single. He gets off the mark with that!

Angling in, on middle a length ball. Martin Guptill tucks it towards mid-wicket for a single. 

Josh Little goes full once again outside off, Glenn Phillips looks to stroke this through covers but gets an inside edge towards mid-wicket.

This is full outside off, Glenn Phillips guides this through cover-point for a single. What an over from Josh Little as he concedes just 3 runs and takes a wicket.

Craig Young serves this on a good length outside off, Dane Cleaver taps the ball towards cover and rushes across for a single.

This one is on a good length as well and Craig Young follows the batter as he looks to make room for himself. Ends up fending this towards mid-wicket.

Craig Young serves this full and in line with the stumps, Martin Guptill gets across the stumps and looks to loft this leg side. Gets a top edge that just manages to clear the mid-wicket fielder and land safely. They take a run in the process.

This is served full and just outside off, Dane Cleaver punches this hard towards the bowler who gets his hand down and parries the ball towards mid on. Another single for Dane Cleaver.

SIX! Martin Guptill is taking the attack to the bowlers! This one is delivered short and outside off, Martin Guptill charges down the wicket and swings his bat at the ball. Gets a thick outside edge that flies over the deep backward point boundary for a maximum!

FOUR! Martin Guptill is not even hitting the ball well and still has gotten off to a flier! This is full and in line with the stumps, Martin Guptill lofts this over mid on and does not time this well. Lands in the vacant long on region and runs away to the boundary for four more runs!

Back of a length, around middle. Martin Guptill gets on his toes and blocks it out watchfully. 

SIX! High and Handsome! Overpitched, around middle and off. Martin Guptill takes only a step down the pitch and dispatches this one straight down the ground for a biggie. A massive hit that has gone way about the sightscreen as well! 

On a length, around middle. Martin Guptill makes room and dabs it towards point. Single taken! 

Mark Adair serves this on a good length and angles this ball in from outside off, Dane Cleaver looks to defend and misses the line of the ball as it goes and thuds into the groin area. Dane Cleaver is on his knees as it looks like he definitely felt that. But he is up quickly and is good to continue! 

Pulls his length back a fraction, and serves it just outside off. Dane Cleaver gets well behind the line of the ball and fends it back to the bowler.

Mark Adair bangs this one in short and outside off, Dane Cleaver looks to make room to play this. The ball takes forever to reach him and he manages to keep this down and work this past backward point for three runs.

Craig Young serves this on a good length outside off, Finn Allen mistimes his cut towards point.

FOUR! Finn Allen charges down the wicket to a good length delivery on off, Looks to pull the ball towards mid-wicket and gets an inside edge towards fine leg for his first boundary! Finn Allen is off the mark!

SIX! There is no edge here! Craig Young serves this full and angling down leg, Craig Young watches the ball closely and scoops this over the keeper's head for a biggie! This is been well executed!

This is a slower delivery served full outside off, Finn Allen fends this back to the bowler.

FOUR! This has been dispatched! Craig Young serves a length ball outside off, Finn Allen makes room and powers it past the diving mid on fielder for a boundary! This was hit really hard towards long on and it was probably for the best the fielder did not get his hand to it.

OUT! TIMBER! What a comeback from Craig Young! Serves a yorker right at the base of the middle pole, Finn Allen looks to make room and can not dig the ball out in time. The ball shatters the stumps and Ireland have drawn first blood! The celebrations show how much this wicket means to them and how badly they want this victory!

Mark Adair begins with a yorker, on middle. Martin Guptill blocks it out watchfully. 

Mark Adair serves this full on middle and leg, Martin Guptill clips this to deep backward square leg for a single.

This is full as well and angling down leg, Finn Allen looks to heave this over mid-wicket and misses. Hits his bads and rolls to backward square leg for a leg bye.

Mark Adair goes full in line with the stumps, Martin Guptill lifts this high over mid on and the ball lands in the vacant long on region and rolls towards the boundary. Harry Tector does well to pull the ball back and restrict the batters to just a brace.

This is on a good length outside off, Martin Guptill feels for the ball and is beaten all ends up. Good delivery from Mark Adair!

Served full outside off, Martin Guptill gets his bat down and digs the ball back towards the bowler.