Middle-order blitz propels New Zealand to 289

Brisk half-centuries from Neil Broom and Ross Taylor and a maiden one for George Worker propelled New Zealand to a daunting 289 against Ireland in the second match of the tri-series, on Sunday (May 14).

Put in to bat first under overcast skies, struggling Luke Ronchi and stand-in skipper Tom Latham gave New Zealand a flying start by putting on 53 for the opening wicket in under eight overs. Ronchi went on a boundary-hitting spree right from the word go and racked up seven of those before falling for a 26-ball 37. Barry McCarthy opened the account for Ireland as the New Zealand opener miscued an attempted lofted shot. Latham, who had been a silent spectator during Ronchi's blitz, fell in McCarthy's succeeding over, fishing a delivery wide outside off only to edge it to the keeper.

The wickets in quick succession pegged the visitors back and George Worker's inability to rotate the strike efficiently with senior pro Ross Taylor strangled the flow of runs from one end. Taylor, however, was fluent as ever during his brief, yet entertaining stay in the middle.

Taylor brought up the first individual fifty for the visitors, scoring at nearly run-a-ball throughout. It wasn't a chanceless knock but the senior batsman ensured he made Ireland pay for the two edges that went begging, by bringing up his 28th ODI fifty, off 56 deliveries.

However, it was Kevin O'Brien who struck soon after New Zealand seemed to be gaining an upper hand. Taylor, looking to guide one to third man, was caught unawares by the extra bounce and edged the ball to the gully fielder when on 52. Worker picked up pace after the departure of the senior batsman but it was Broom who truly pepped up the scoring rate, finding a boundary or two every now and then. Worker raised his maiden ODI fifty with back to back boundaries of Tim Murtagh. But the bowler had the last laugh, when the 24-year-old holed out to Ireland debutant Simi Singh in the deep.

With about ten overs to go in their innings, Broom pressed the accelerator, going particularly after Chase, who finished with figures of 74 for 1. The 44th over, that fetched 19 runs, saw Broom register his half-century, off 46 deliveries, with a six sandwiched between a couple of boundaries. The rain did make an appearance later than expected but luckily, did not cause a long delay in the proceedings. Adding insult to injury, Broom got a life right after the unwanted break, dropped by Simi in the same over.

Dropped on 50, Broom went on hammer four more boundaries to take his final score to 79 before being run out after some lazy running between the wickets. Jimmy Neesham, who hit a 29-ball 30, took New Zealand's final score to 289. Murtagh and McCarthy finished with two wickets apice, while Chase was the most expensive bowler.

Brief scores: New Zealand 289 for 7 in 50 overs (Neil Broom 79, Ross Taylor 52, George Worker 50; Barry McCarthy 2-59, Tim Murtagh 2-62 ) vs Ireland.

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