Twitter Reactions: Clinical New Zealand thrash Ireland in T20I series opener

After winning the ODI series, New Zealand completely thrashed Team Ireland in the first T20I match played at the Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast on July 18 (Monday). Batter Glenn Phillips was adjudged the Player of the Match for his excellent knock with the bat. Speedster Lockie Ferguson starred with the ball, scalping a four-fer.

Talking about the match, Ireland won the toss and opted to bowl first. The visiting team had a poor start as one of their opener Finn Allen got out after scoring only one run. Debutant Dane Cleaver got out cheaply as well after scoring just five runs while Guptill was also holed out at long-off.

The visitors were looking into all sorts of trouble after losing four wickets on a score of 54, but James Neesham and Glenn Phillips stitched a vital partnership for their team and ensured that the Blackcaps cross the 100-run mark before losing any more wickets. Neesham played a good cameo but got out after scoring 29 runs.

Meanwhile, Phillips continued his good form with the bat as the right-handed batter stroked an excellent fifty before taking the toll on the Irish bowlers in the death overs. Phillips finished on 69 not out with the Kiwis crossing the 170-run mark in their allotted 20 overs.

None of the Irish batters capitalized on the starts they got with the bat

Chasing 174 to win, Ireland skipper Andrew Balbirnie played some fine shots during the field restrictions, but that brought his downfall as well with the batter getting caught at mid-off. Paul Stirling was also not looking at his best as the right-handed batter took 16 balls to score 13 runs before getting out.

Harry Tector (5), Gareth Delany (5), Lorcan Tucker (11), and George Dockrell (15) also failed to get going. As a result, the visiting team won the first T20I comfortably by a margin of 31 runs and went 1-0 up in a three-match series. For New Zealand, pacer Lockie Ferguson was simply amazing as he took four wickets, giving away just 14 runs in 3.2 overs.

Meanwhile, here are some Twitter reactions:

New Zealand takes 1-0 lead In the three match T20I series v Ireland. #IREvNZ pic.twitter.com/NxHGmb05d3

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) July 19, 2022

पहले टी-20 मैच में न्यूजीलैंड को मिली आसान जीत#IREvNZ #MartinGuptill #HarryTector #NewZealand #Ireland #Sports pic.twitter.com/NNj8xJISDA

— CricTracker Hindi (@ct_hindi) July 19, 2022

New Zealand 🇳🇿 : 173/8 (20 ov)
Ireland 🇮🇪 : 142 (18.2 ov)
New Zealand won by 31 runs
Player of the match : Glenn Phillips (New Zealand)
1stT20I #IREvNZ 🏏 pic.twitter.com/GJMHbgYUo5

— Ishara (@Ishara23032) July 19, 2022

Ireland vs New Zealand: Phillips, Ferguson guide NZ to win in first T20I https://t.co/9jdk1nCc8Q

— ARSHAD A K (@maxmedias24) July 19, 2022

(Ireland vs New Zealand) 1st T2OI
Player of the match : Glenn Phillips

69* runs 52 balls 4s – 7 , 6s – 1#Cricket #IREvNZ #t20cricket #CricketTwitter #sports

— Sports Yaari (@YaariSports) July 19, 2022

Phillips, Ferguson star as New Zealand beat Ireland in first T20I pic.twitter.com/U02vf5Q2W6

— sports news (@CricketDeDaNaDa) July 19, 2022

Glenn Phillips' knock helps New Zealand to a competitive score 🏏

Watch the #IREvNZ T20I series LIVE on https://t.co/CPDKNxpgZ3 (in select regions) 📺 pic.twitter.com/gDpVhsOkM4

— ICC (@ICC) July 18, 2022

New Zealand 🇳🇿 : 173/8 (20 ov)
Ireland 🇮🇪 : 142 (18.2 ov)
New Zealand won by 31 runs
Player of the match : Glenn Phillips (New Zealand)
1stT20I #IREvNZ 🏏 pic.twitter.com/GJMHbgYUo5

— Ishara (@Ishara23032) July 19, 2022

Glenn Phillips is one of the best hitter

— Raj K (@imRaja41) July 18, 2022