IRE VS NZ - 1st ODI, New Zealand tour of Ireland, 2022

A few 100 kilometres away, Suryakumar Yadav almost pulled off a heist for India against England. But out here, the heist was actually successfully completed by a certain Michael Bracewell who with an unbeaten 127 along with the rest of the tail did New Zealand a great favour to win them a game they had no business winning! Ireland were the better team for 90% of the game, but were beaten by one magical innings. Days like these make you absolutely love your job! We'll be back Tuesday now for the 2nd game, till then this is Saurabh signing off on behalf of our scorer Vinod...

Tom Latham, New Zealand captain: The way Micheal held his composure with the tail was outstanding, it was a special knock. It was a great wicket throughout the 100 overs, we certainly got one out of the bag today with that innings. (On Ferguson) He swung the ball well and he's got that extra pace as well. Nice to see him back in the One-Day side. We'll hopefully recover well and go again on Tuesday now.

Andy Balbirnie, Ireland Captain: It is a pretty sombre dressing room at the moment. We did everything right from most of it, but the last 10 overs Michael played really well. It is a shame the way it ended today because we played pretty good cricket for 90% of it. We have put in a good performance, but we are in the results business and being 1-0 down hurts.

Michael Bracewell, Man of the Match: Certainly the most special innings. Enjoyed every moment of it, don't have words to describe it. We lost a few wickets in the middle so we had to do a bit of rebuilding. So it was about building partnerships and then put the foot down on the pedal. We bat deep and that's what helped us to get this win.

18:39 Local Time, 17:39 GMT, 23:09 IST: What an absolute steal! New Zealand looked down and out for most parts of the chase, they were 153/6 after 30 overs and looking forlorn beyond measure. But one man's steely determination ensured it was otherwise. Micheal Bracewell started pretty slowly, but picked up the pace after getting his 50, then got to his 100 in no time, and then nonchalantly smoked one over long-on to help his side chase down 20 in the final over. When most of their big names - Guptill, Latham, Young all failed, a relative newbie Bracewell stole the show with an impeccable knock. Ireland played superb cricket for the majority of the game, with Harry Tector getting a maiden ODI century and then Curtis Campher picking up three early wickets to leave the Kiwis four down a little after 15 overs. The hosts though have only themselves to blame for letting a match slip away in this fashion, a tough learning experience against unforgiving opponents. New Zealand aren't the number one ranked side for no reason. Stay tuned for the presentation...

Young to M Bracewell, SIX, can you believe it?! Another slot ball around off, Bracewell says thank you very much and gives it a full swing over long-on. Raises his bat and removes the helmet, a pretty casual celebration asking what the fuss was all about? Ireland have themselves to blame for throwing the game away from such a commanding position

Young to M Bracewell, FOUR, slower length ball on off, Bracewell shuffled and pulled that one perfectly between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg. What a knock from this player, NZ in the driver's seat now...

Square leg is back to the fence now.

Young to M Bracewell, SIX, Oh my goodness! It was in the slot and Bracewell shuffled closer again and gets a clean swing over deep mid-wicket. New Zealand one hit away now

Young to M Bracewell, FOUR, very smart cricket from Bracewell! It was a low full toss around off, he shuffled again and this time the flick goes between square leg and fine leg.

Young to M Bracewell, FOUR, pitched up around off, Bracewell shuffled a bit and flicked it down the leg side. One bounce four with square leg and fine leg inside the circle

Blair Tickner, right handed bat, comes to the crease

20 needed off 6 then, Bracewell on strike, can he take his side home?

Mark Adair to Ferguson, out Bowled!! Poles!! It was right in the blockhole, Ferguson had to go for a wild slog and he misses it, the ball rattles the middle stump. What an over from Mark Adair, just 4 runs off the penultimate over Ferguson b Mark Adair 8(13) [4s-1]

Mark Adair to Ferguson, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

Mark Adair to M Bracewell, 1 run, full toss and that's clubbed straight towards deep mid-wicket. Just a single

Mark Adair to Ferguson, leg byes, 1 run, slower length ball and Ferguson was too early on his shot. Gets hit on the thigh pad and the batters scamper for the leg bye

Mark Adair to M Bracewell, 1 run, in the blockhole on off, cut towards backward point. Just a single

Mark Adair to M Bracewell, no run, well bowled! Bracewell shuffled away to try and hit it over the infield on off. Adair took the bluff and bowled it on a length outside off, the southpaw couldn't reach that

Mark Adair to Ferguson, 1 run, full and straight, Ferguson shuffled closer and gave it a wild swing. All fielders on the fence on the leg side and it lands safely in the mid-wicket region