NZ complete another comfortable win and are all but through to the semi-final! Length outside off, he lofts it to long off and NZ win by 35 runs. There is still a mathematical chance that they do not make it to semis, but well, it will take some doing from the other teams for that to happen.
That's that! NZ take important points and for Ireland, the tournament ends. But it's not the end of T20 World Cup action for today. Australia take on Afghanistan at the same venue, with Afghanistan fielding first. We are, however, done here. Thanks for joining us today. On behalf of Himanshu and Thilak, this is Ashish signing off.
Andy Balbirnie: We played a top-class team, and were a bit off in the middle and when you play a top-class team you have to capitalise, which we did not after the start we got. We bowled pretty well, but our fielding has been a bit off in the tournament. The guys have played really well. We have been happy with the effort. We caused a couple of upsets, we are playing better cricket than we were in the last 12 months, every one is starting to show their class.
Kane Williamson: A really good team performance which was required. We knew what Ireland were capable of. They have played some stunning cricket. We played to our best and came out well. It [The ball] was just holding in the surface standing up. The openers did a great job to give a good PP. The Guys played well throughout the innings and adjusted nicely. We made those adjustments with the ball in the middle overs. Try and take your options and work with your partner at the other end. One's going and the other one is trying to make the adjustments. [On the spinners] We spoke about that. It was just about bowling a little bit slower and adjust your line. They made the adjustment beautifully and pulled the game back.
6pm Another solid performance from the Blackcaps who seem to always bring their A-game in World Cups. It was Kane Williamson's turn to silence the doubters today with a solid half-century as New Zealand racked up 185 for 6 despite a Josh Little hat-trick. The chase would always be tricky but Ireland got off to a good start with Stirling and Balbirnie adding 68 for the opening wicket. However, once spin was introduced things turned. Both Santner and Sodhi went for plenty in their first overs, but came back strong. They slowed things down, pulled their lengths back and reaped the rewards. In the end, the target was too out of reach for the Irish. NZ take the points and are so close to nailing that semi-final spot.
5.53pm Kane Williamson is the Player of the Match: The guys were brilliant in negating the new ball and give us a good start. It was a very competitive total. The guys with the ball adjusted nicely, the spinners came in, and they did their job. [His innings] Similar to building some partnerships and it was nice to get a bit of momentum. It was nice. Good team effort. Ireland have been playing beautifully and it is nice to get a win.
Vinay: "Assuming Eng and Aus win, what should be their margins of victory to overhaul NZ NRR?" Aus need to win by around 185 runs to go past NZ. Eng need to win by around 128.
Sampath says, New Zealand will be through if Afghanistan bat first
KW Fan: "Missed innings of Kane today but it has made my day. That will silence the doubters and regain KW confidence in upcoming bigger games."
Gets a bit more adventurous now, looking for a falling scoop. Makes no connection.
HEAVES IT FOR A SIX! On a length on the leg stump, he clears his front leg and slams it over deep midwicket
back of a length outside off, he thrashes it to long off, who does not go for the catch
full on off, he drills it down the ground with mid-off doing the mopping up
Phillips with such a well-judged catch! Southee is getting those slower balls in on the spot. Lands it on a length on off, he looks to up and over, does not get all of it and Phillips, at long off, initially runs in and then back-tracks to complete the catch
Length on the pads, he looks to help it away, is hit on the pads with the ball rolling to deep fine
On a length outside off, he heaves it to the left of deep midwicket and they take two
Slower Back of a length ball outside off, he slaps it down to mid off, almost a tennis like shot
Very full just outside off, he can only dig it to long on and some excellent running gets them twi
False shot but falls in no-man's land. Banged in short, he is hurried on the pull but the ball lands just outside the 30-yard circle around midwicket.
Yorker on off, he can only jam it to point. Excellent bowling.
Boult back on
Rohit: "Have Ireland under used Campher throughout this WC? Haven't bowled him much, batting at 7! Surely could've given him a bit more of an opportunity seen what he's done in the past!"
Low full toss outside off, he opens the face of the bat to tap it to deep third
McCarthy in now
And another! Ireland starting to fall apart here. Dockrell's time to depart. On a length on off, he gives himself room probably seeking to clear cover. Gets it off the bottom of the blade, with Williamson at extra cover gobbling up a simple chance.
Another quick back of a length ball on off, he slaps it to long on for a run
Mark Adair in now
Straight up and Ferguson takes it upon himself to complete the catch! Back of a length on off, he looks to pull it away but is hurried by the pace. The ball balloons high up in the air. Ferguson calls for it, and hangs on..just.
Gets across now outside off, and pushes the length ball down to long on
CRRRUNCHED! Pacy back of a length ball on off, he clears his front leg giving himself room and smokes it past cover
SACHU: "0-29 in first 2 overs of spin 4-28 in the other 6 overs of spin. Wow! What a comeback"
Up and over! Length on off, he clears his front leg and lifts it over mid-off to collect a four but Southee has done the damage.
Slower back of a length ball outside off, he gets it off the bottom of the bat to deep cover
Amit: "Australia have big boundaries if a spinner bowl slower through the air it's very very difficult to score boundaries."
1W |
1W | 1W | |||
1W | ||||
1W | 1W | |||
Adelaide Oval | |
Toss | Ireland, elected to field first |
Series | |
Season | 2022/23 |
Player Of The Match | |
Match number | T20I no. 1862 |
Match days | 4 November 2022 - day (20-over match) |
Umpires | |
TV Umpire | |
Reserve Umpire | |
Match Referee | |
Points | New Zealand 2, Ireland 0 |
Over 20 • IRE 150/9