A superb 129 from Martin Guptill and five-wicket-bag from Adam Milne has seen New Zealand A top Ireland by 111 runs in the two sides second One Day match in Dubai.
New Zealand A scored 337 in the first innings, before restricting Ireland to 226 in 40.5 overs. The victory sees the two sides share the two match series 1-1, after Ireland won Saturday’s match by four wickets.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, the New Zealand A opening duo of Martin Guptill and Dean Brownlie (66) put on a sizable 136 for the first wicket. It was the perfect platform for the rest of the top order to launch from and in the end they capitalised.
While Brownlie departed in the 20th over, Guptill continued to savage the Irish bowling attack, despite losing some partners along the way. The 28-year-olds great knock was deservedly rewarded with a century after 98 balls and he wasn’t done there.
After nine fours and five sixes Guptill’s time in the middle came to an end, with the BLACKCAPS in the comfortable position of 263-6. The finishing touches were then added by Nathan McCullum (31 from 18) and Kyle Mills (36 from 20) who combined for seven sixes to see their side surpass 300.
Ireland stumbled early in their response, with Mills taking a wicket in the third over. A number of batsmen made starts for Ireland, but wickets at inopportune times meant they never truly threatened New Zealand’s total.
The path to victory was hastened though thanks to the brilliance of Milne. The 22-year-old rampaged through the Irish lower-order, single-handedly taking the last four wickets for just 28 runs.
It was a good end to New Zealand A’s trip to Dubai, who won three of their four matches. A large portion of the squad now stay in the UAE for the Twenty20 series v Pakistan beginning Friday morning (NZ time).
