Michael Bracewell continues his brilliance as NZ takes 2-0 lead in the ODI series

New Zealand extends their lead in the ODI series as they beat Ireland by 3 wickets in the 2nd ODI on Tuesday. Michael Bracewell turned out to be the hero once again and displayed a perfect all-around performance to take his side to the victory in the second consecutive match.

Blackcaps opted to bowl first after winning the toss and executed a perfect start with the ball in hand as they struck in the very first over. Paul Stirling departed in just the 4th ball of the match and soon was followed by captain Andrew Balbirnie who was dismissed for just 2 runs in the 5th over. Ireland never recovered from their poor start and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. They were struggling at 126/6 in the 37th over before George Dockrell and Simi Singh put up a 59-run partnership for the 7th wicket to take the team total near to 200 before Dockrell was dismissed for 74 runs.

A late unbeaten cameo of 27 runs in 15 balls from Simi Singh took their team total to 216 before they were all-out in 48 overs. Matt Henry, Michael Bracewell, and Mitchell Santner who recently recovered from covid took 2 wickets each whereas Jacob Duffy and Glenn Phillips found a single scalp each.

Chasing the target, the visitors had a horrible start to their inning as they lost two wickets in the first two balls of the opening over bowled by Mark Adair as he dismissed both Guptill and Young for 0. Captain Tom Latham and Finn Allen then put up a 101-run stand for the 3rd wicket before the latter was dismissed for 60 runs in the 17th over.

Latham then added 31 runs with Henry Nicholls for the 4th wicket and went to score his half-century before NZ lost Nicholls and Glenn Phillips in quick succession. The skipper was dismissed for 55 runs before adding another crucial 28 runs with Michael Bracewell who was the hero of the last match.

Bracewell continued his magnificent touch from the first match and played an unbeaten 42-run inning in 40 balls with 3 fours and 3 sixes to ensure another thrilling victory for his side. Simi Singh took 2 wickets whereas Curtis Campher and Craig Young took one wicket each for Ireland. New Zealand chased the target in 39th over with 3 wickets in hand and they have taken a 2-0 lead in the 3-match ODI series.

Michael Bracewell who also took 2 wickets with the ball in hand was adjudged as player of the match for his brilliant all-around performance. The 3rd ODI between Ireland and New Zealand will be played on July 15 in Dublin where the hosts will look for a consolation win whereas NZ will be eyeing a complete whitewash in the ODI series.