IRE vs NZ | 3rd T20I | Phenomenal Phillips powers New Zealand to series sweep

Riding on Glenn Phillips' unbeaten half-century, New Zealand registered a six-wicket victory to complete a 3-0 T20I series whitewash over Ireland at the Stormont ground in Belfast on Friday. 

Phillips-Neesham's easy and early finish

James Neesham, of all the Kiwis, looked in a real hurry to wrap things up as he belted the Irish bowlers all over the park to score a brisk and unbeaten 23 off just six deliveries and take his side past the finish line in 19 overs. 

Daryl Mitchell also played a vital role for the Black Caps, slamming 48 runs off 32 balls before being caught and bowled by Joshua Little to leave the touring side on 147 with four down and 20 balls remaining. 

However, Phillips (56* off 44) and Neesham's unbeaten 33-run partnership off just 14 deliveries for the fifth wicket proved to be a real burr in Ireland's saddles.

The left-arm pacer Little spearheaded the hosts' bowling attack, picking two wickets in his four overs. 

George Dockrell and Craig Young also picked up a wicket each, but the latter came out pretty expensive with his spell, conceding 49 runs in 4 overs. 

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Ireland's ‘so near, yet so far’ tale continues

Earlier, Ireland opted out to bat first in the dead rubber. Openers Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie got the team off to a flyer.

The duo shared a 33-run stand for the opening wicket before Tickner dismissed Balbirnie for 10. However, that didn't affect Stirling as he continued his assault with the bat.  

The 31-year-old belted 40 runs off 29 deliveries, with the help of three boundaries and as many sixes. Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector also contributed with the bat, scoring 28 and 23 runs, respectively. 

However, the unbeaten 58-run partnership between Mark Adair and Curtis Campher powered the Irishmen to a respectable total of 174 runs at the end of the first innings. 

While Adair hammered his way through to a 15-ball 37, Campher played a quickfire cameo of 19 off just eight balls. 

On the bowling front, New Zealand's right-arm spinner Ish Sodhi and Blair Tickner bagged two wickets each. Daryl Mitchell and Jacob Duffy also got one wicket apiece. 

Brief Scores:

Ireland: 174-6 (20 overs)

Paul Stirling 40 (29), Mark Adair 37* (15); Ish Sodhi 2-27 (4), Blair Tickner 2-35 (4) 

New Zealand: 180-4 (19 overs)

Glenn Phillips 56* (44), Daryl Mitchell 48 (32); Joshua Little 2-33 (4)

New Zealand won by six wickets.