Michael Bracewell’s unbeaten century took New Zealand to a dramatic one-wicket victory in the first One Day International against Ireland in Malahide on Sunday.
New Zealand, chasing 301 for victory, faced the prospect of a first defeat by Ireland at 120-5 – when Bracewell came in – and 217-8.
And the Black Caps, the world’s top-ranked team in 50-over cricket, still needed 20 runs in the final over, with only one wicket to beat the previous ODI best of 18 set by England against Australia in 1987.
accept praise @ Brace Yourself10, Taking the team home in Malahide with his first international century! 127* in just 82 balls. Scorecard | https://t.co/n2gYsV2FnT #IREvNZ pic.twitter.com/YeBtFXiB4l
— Blackcaps (@BLACKCAPS) 10 July 2022
But Bracewell hit Craig Young for 24 off five balls, sending the first two balls for four before hitting a six at midwicket.
The 31-year-old left-hander performed in his fourth ODI, then found a legside boundary again before finishing the match in style, clearing the rope at long-on and scoring an unbeaten 127 from just 82 balls. which included 10. Fours and seven sixes.
“The way Michael kept his balance with the tail was excellent, it was a special innings,” New Zealand captain Tom Latham told reporters.
It was another painful upset after a four-run loss to Ireland India Four runs in a Twenty20 International at the same County Dublin venue last month.
Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie reflected on his team’s failure after the Irish rugby team’s win over New Zealand in Dunedin on Saturday, saying: “It’s a very disappointing dressing room at the moment.”
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“We did everything right from most of it, but the last 10 overs Michael played really well… we’ve done well, but we’re in the results business and it hurts to be down 1-0.”
Black Caps, lost final in last two 50 overs World The cup finals were without regular captains Kane Williamson, Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell.
But Bracewell, whose uncles Brendan and John, along with cousins Doug, have played all international cricket, still scored 61 with Ish Sodi (25) and Lockie Ferguson (eight) with 61 for the seventh and ninth wickets respectively. Major stand shared.
His first century at this level was on top of Ireland’s Harry Tector, who had a 300-9 cornerstone of 113 hosts.
The 22-year-old converted his eighth fifty in his last 11 ODI innings – a century in 109 balls including 13 fours and two sixes.
The teams return to Malahide on Tuesday for the second game in the three-match series.
abbreviated number
1st ODI in Malahide
Ireland 300-9, 50 ov (H Tector 113) vs New Zealand 305-9, 49.5 ov (M Bracewell No 127, M Guptill 51; C Camper 3-49)
Result: New Zealand won by one wicket
Series: New Zealand take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series
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