New Delhi: While New Zealand posted a good total against Ireland, Josh Little’s hattrick stole the show. The Irish bowler picked three consecutive wickets in the 19th over to dismiss Kane Williamson, James Neesham and Mitchell Santner. When the Kiwis looked out to go for a cracking finish, Little delivered an over with three runs and three wickets.
New Zealand stood firm on 174/3 with captain Williamson firing at 61 off 34 when Little struck with a back-of-a-length delivery. Little trapped Neesham LBW which the Kiwi batter reviewed just to reassure the on-field umpire’s decision. On his hattrick delivery, he dismisses Santner LBW. Josh Little became only the second Irish bowler to pick a hattrick in T20Is.
The length balls did the job for Little. He also bowled the next two deliveries on a similar length just to give two singles. Before that over, he gave 19 runs and was not able to pick a wicket. He finished his quota of four overs with figures of 4-0-22-3.
In the game, New Zealand started well after Finn Allen blasted 32 off 18 while Devon Conway played slow. After Allen’s dismissal, the Kiwis played slow and tried to build the inning. Later, Willaimson, who seemed to have lost the touch, smashed the deliveries to boundaries to score 61(35) with 5 fours and 3 sixes. Glenn Phillips powered the inning with his 17 off 9 while Daryl Mitchell finished it with 31* off 21. Gareth Delany picked two wickets, one of the dangerman Phillips, while Mark Adair got the first breakthrough of the inning. Ireland needs to chase the target of 186 while New Zealand will look for a big win to keep a good net run rate for the qualification.
