All-rounder Michael Bracewell has produced one of the most impressive knocks in one-day international cricket to guide the Black Caps to a remarkable win over Ireland in the opening game in Dublin.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
New Zealand won by one wicket with one ball to spare thanks to Bracewell.
Chasing 301 for the win the tourists were floundering on 153 for six in the 30th over.
However number seven batsman Bracewell scored 127 off 82 balls which included ten fours and seven sixes.
He and Ish Sodhi put on 61 runs for the seventh wicket and the Wellingtonian then crafted the victory as Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson and Blair Tickner took turns watching on from the other end.
Needing 20 off the last over Bracewell hit Craig Young for three fours and two sixes to win the game with one ball to spare.
After being asked to bat first the homeside scored 300 for 9 with Harry Tector top scoring with 113.
Lockie Ferguson took two wickets for 44, while Blair Tickner and Ish Sodhi also grabbed two wickets.
Finn Allen, Will Young, Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls were all dismissed before New Zealand had a hundred runs on the board, while Martin Guptil ground out 51 off 61 balls.
Bracewell was playing just his fourth ODI.
"I don't really have words to describe it at the moment but I just enjoyed every moment of it. We lost a few wickets through the middle so had to do a bit of rebuilding. We managed to get a few partnerships in there. We bat all the way down and that is something we take pride on as a team. We try to take the games deep and put the opposition under pressure and fortunately it worked for us today," said Bracewell.
New Zealand captain Tom Latham was full of praise for Bracewell.
"The way Michael held his composure with the tailenders was outstanding. It is obviously one of the great knocks."
The second of three games is tomorrow night.
