'Nothing substantial'- Andrew Balbirnie rules poor batting performance after defeat to NZ

Ireland skipper Andrew Balbirnie blamed poor batting performance for his side's 31-run defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the 1st T20I on Monday (July 18).

As it happened in Belfast

Just like in the ODI series, the Irish bowlers knocked over New Zealand's top-order cheaply, with Joshua Little (4/35 in 4) and Mark Adair (2/49 in 4) reducing the tourists to 3-38 in the powerplay.

3-38 soon became 4-54 in the 9th over, but a sensational knock from Phillips and handy cameos from James Neesham (29 off 16) and Michael Bracewell (21 off 13) lifted New Zealand to 173/8.

Chasing 174, the home side never looked like getting anywhere close to the total as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

Ferguson was near unplayable on the day as he knocked over 4 Irish batters with an unrelenting and hostile pace.

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What the skipper said

Speaking to the host broadcaster after the game, Balbirnie lauded the Kiwis for their brilliant fightback with the bat after an early collapse.

"We started pretty well, had a good powerplay. They batted well in the last 10 and set an above-par score," he said as quoted by ANI.

Ireland were eventually dismissed for 142 in the 19th over, and Balbirnie didn't mince his words, stating that his batting unit was just not good enough on the day.

"We didn't bat well in our powerplay, and a bit of a shame about how it finished. We got a couple of good partnerships in the middle, but nothing substantial," said Balbirnie.

Ireland will look to bounce back when they take on the Kiwis in the 2nd T20I on Wednesday, July 20.