IRE vs NZ 2022 | Tom Latham, Finn Allen help New Zealand take an unassailable 2-0 lead vs Ireland

Finn Allen and skipper Tom Latham's half-century knocks intertwined with an inspired bowling attack led New Zealand to a thrilling three-wicket series-clinching win over Ireland on Tuesday. 

Chasing a paltry total of 217, the black caps endured a couple of early hiccups before paving their way to the target. Mark Adair provided a flying start to the hosts removing the opener Martin Guptill and Will Young for a duck within two balls to leave New Zealand reeling at 2/2 in the first over. 

However, the two early blows didn't harm the visitors' momentum as wicket-keeper batter Finn Allen and skipper Tom Latham launched an assault on the bowlers, putting up a 101-run partnership for the third wicket.  

While Allen whacked 60 runs off 58 deliveries, laced with six boundaries and three maximums, Latham scored 73-ball 55 to set the foundation of the chase. 

With their quick cameos, the lower order rode on Michael Bracewell's unbeaten 40-ball 42 to help the black caps seal the game in 38.1 overs with three wickets in hand.

For Ireland, Mark Adair and Simi Singh scalped two wickets each, followed by Craig Young and Curtis Campher, who got one wicket each to their credit. 

Earlier, led by George Dockrell's counter-attacking 61-ball 74, which is also his highest score in ODI cricket, the Irish managed to breach the 200-run mark before bundling out for 216 with two overs to spare. 

The late-night and early morning showers hampered the start by half an hour and made things easier for the Kiwi seamers at a beautiful green grass-covered deck. 

Matt Henry took advantage of conditions that saw the white ball swing and seam from the onset and empowered the visitors with early breakthroughs sending the dangerous-looking Paul Stirling back to the pavilion for a duck. 

Skipper Andy Balbirnie followed Stirling soon as Henry continued his carnage with the ball and uprooted Balbirnie's off stump to leave Ireland languishing at 5/2 in 4.4 overs. 

Andy McBrine then arrived for the team's rescue at three and played an array of beautiful strokes to steady the sinking ship of Ireland. 

McBrine, who was promoted up the order, scored 28 runs off 48 deliveries before Bracewell bowled an off-break wide of off stump to trap the 29-year-old well ahead of the crease. Tom Latham completed the stumping. 

It was the second wicket of the day for Bracewell, who earlier nabbed the last match's centurion Harry Tector at long-on for just 4. 

Curtis Campher and wicket-keeper batter Loran Tucker then joined the forces and played breezy cameos of 25 runs and 19 runs, respectively, to save Ireland from embarrassment. 

George Dockrell was the true architect of Ireland's respectable total as he played a team-rescuing inning of 74 runs off 61 balls to take the team out of the dark tunnel. 

The lower order batters Simi Singh and Mark Adair also contributed well with the bat as Ireland ultimately folded for 216 with two overs remaining. 

On the bowling front, Matt Henry, Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner bagged two wickets each, while debutant Jacob Duffy and Glenn Phillips picked up a wicket each. 

Michael Bracewell was again adjudged as player of the match after an inspiring performance.

Brief Scores: 

Ireland: 216/10 (48 Overs) 

George Dockrell 74 (61), Andy McBrine 28 (48); 

Michael Bracewell 2-26 (10), Mitchell Santner 2-32 (10) 

New Zealand: 219/7 (38.1 Overs) 

Finn Allen 60 (58), Tom Latham 55 (73); 

Mark Adair 2-29 (5), Simi Singh 2-51 (8.1) 

New Zealand won by three wickets.