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Martin Guptill’s brilliant century helped New Zealand A gain revenge over Ireland with an 111 run victory in their game at the ICC Global Cricket Academy in Dubai.
Guptill top scored with 129 from 120 deliveries (9 fours, 5 sixes) as New Zealand ran up an imposing total of 337 in their 50 overs.

The 28 year-old, who has played 87 ODI’s and 31 Tests for the senior New Zealand side, shared an opening stand of 138 with Dean Brownlie (66) to give their side a solid platform.

Stuart Thompson (3-47) and Peter Chase (3-38) brought Ireland back into contention, but a late assault from Kyle Mills (36) and Nathan McCullum (31) who added 66 in just 34 balls took the total out of reach for the Irish.

Alex Cusack (2-54) bowled his full quota of overs, while Andrew Balbirnie (1-34) was the other Irish wicket taker.

The Irish reply got off to the worst possible start, losing opener Paul Stirling (0) and Niall O’Brien (11) cheaply.

Skipper William Porterfield and Saturday’s centurion Andrew Balbirnie got the Irish innings back on track with a breezy third wicket partnership of 81 in 14 overs.

The stand was ended when Balbirnie was caught in the deep for 36, and he was soon followed by Porterfield, who was bowled by McClenaghan (3-37) after an excellent 63 from 77 balls (5 fours, 3 sixes).

Stuart Thompson (0) fell just two balls later, and at 124 for 5, the Irish needed to rebuild, and that’s exactly what Gary Wilson and John Mooney did.

The experienced pair added 73 in 75 balls for the sixth wicket, but with the rate climbing into double figures Wilson perished for 41 attempting a hook shot off the impressive Adam Milne.

That sparked a late order collapse as Milne picked up five wickets for 33 as Ireland were dismissed for 226 in the 41st over. John Mooney was left stranded on an unbeaten 49 from 52 balls, which included five fours and a six.

The Ireland selectors will pick their World Cup squad next week for the competition which starts next February in Australia and New Zealand.

The ICC confirmed today that Ireland will play official warm-up matches against Scotland and Bangladesh in Sydney on February 10th and 12th.

IRELAND TOUR OF THE UAE

At ICC Global Cricket Academy, Dubai

NEW ZEALAND A 337 all out (49.5 overs, Martin Guptill 129, Dean Brownlie 66, Kyle Mills 36, Nathan McCullum 31, Anton Devcich 23, Derek de Boorder 22, Peter Chase 3-38, Stuart Thompson 3-47, Alex Cusack 2-54)

IRELAND 226 all out (49.5 overs, William Porterfield 63, John Mooney 49*, Gary Wilson 41, Andrew Balbirnie 36, Adam Milne 5-33, Mitchell McClenaghan, 3-37)

New Zealand A beat Ireland by 111 runs

(12 a side non-capped game, 11 batting, 11 bowling)

Tickets for Ireland’s clashes with England at Malahide on Friday May 8th 2015 and Australia on Thursday August 27th 2015 are now on sale on www.cricketireland.ie and through Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.


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