Ireland vs New Zealand, 1st ODI at Dublin, IRE v NZ, Jul 10 2022 - Match Result

What a whirlwind finish. New Zealand get over the line and take a 1-0 lead. Thank You for joining us. The second ODI will be played in just a couple of day's time at the same venue and as always we will be here, live. Till then, on behalf of Deivarayan and Ranjith, this is me Ashish, signing off.

Before we wind up, here's another stat byte from Sampath:

Most target runs chased successfully in the last 10 overs (41-50) of a Men's ODI since 2001:

109 - Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Mirpur, 2014

102 - New Zealand vs Australia, Christchurch, 2005

101 - New Zealand vs Ireland, Dublin 2022

Tom Latham, the New Zealand captain: It was one of those games when someone plays an innings like that, you have to take your hat off to them. The way Michael held his composure with the tailenders was outstanding. It is obviously one of the great knocks. [On his decision to bowl first] We have seen here, how hard it is to defend. The wicket just, it was a great wicket throughout the whole 100 overs and 300 was a good score and we certainly understand that on a ground like this, it is hard to defend and unfortunately for us, we weren't able to build partnerships throughout the whole innings but as I said, when someone plays an innings like this, you certainly got one out of the bag, for sure. He bowled beautifully. Slightly different role, he is not used to taking the new ball. Thought he swung the ball nicely up top and he has got the extra pace as well.

Andy Balbirnie the Ireland captain: It is a very sombre dressing room at the moment. We got up to a really good total thanks to an amazing knock by Harry Tector and some great partnerships. We did nothing wrong with the ball really. It was just those last 10 overs and Bracewell played an outstanding knock, he paced it beautifully. Yes, we are certainly hurting. It is tough and it all happens very quickly but as long as my bowlers have clear plans, that's the most important thing. It is a shame the way it ended today, as I thought we played pretty good cricket for 90% and that last sort of 10% hurt us in the end. We have put in a good performance and being 1-0 down hurts.

Michael Bracewell is the Player of the Match: [Most special knock of his career?] Yes, certainly, it is. 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.

First up, Harry Tector : It is hard to take, when you get so close to pull off what would be a famous victory for ourselves, then it is extremely hard to take. All credit to Mikey, he batted beautifully and he deserves all the plaudits. [On his century] I have been working pretty hard and it has finally started to come off. It was rewarding and it was great fun out there, just a pity it wasn't quite enough.

Time for presentation.

6.40pm What a knock we have just witnessed. New Zealand were done and dusted at 120 for 5, before out came Bracewell and slammed 127* off 82 balls to get his side over the line. Ireland, for the most part were very impressive. Curtis Campher struck thrice getting rid of Henry Nicholls, Tom Latham and Martin Guptill while the spinners bowled tight lines. However, they were unable to dislodge the beast that is Bracewell as he first took his time to settle in and then smoked the bowlers to all parts in the last 10 overs smashing 10 fours and 7 sixes during his knock.

A couple of Stat nuggets from Sampath: New Zealand's 20 runs are the most target runs chased successfully in the 50th over in men's ODIs. Previous highest was 18 runs by England vs Australia in 1987.

Also the highest in the last over of a men's ODI (including rain-reduced games). New Zealand chased down 20 runs vs Sri Lanka in 2013 in the last over of a 23-over game.

Logan: "86 runs off 36 balls in the last 10 overs from Bracewell. The rest of the team contributed 19!"

Prasanna: "Well done Lads, Irish team gave us some terrific performance this summer close T20 against India and close ODI, lots of positives to carry"

Kb: "Have to feel for Ireland but what a knock by beasty bracewell."

Krishna : "Bracewell living upto the tag of the "beast". Feel for Ireland but Hands down This has to be one of the best ODIs in the recent times"

Fine leg goes back, third man comes up.

Blair Tickner is the last man in. New Zealand need 20 to win. Bracewell on 103.

Roy: "The Kiwis can still pull this off....having come so close, its their game i feel."