Black Caps blow away Irish

Last updated: 1st July 2008

Brendon McCullum New Zealand

McCullum: Hit 11 fours and 10 sixes in his 166

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Triangular Tournament
Aberdeen
New Zealand 402-2 (B B McCullum 166, J A H Marshall 161, L R P L Taylor 59 no) v Ireland 112
New Zealand beat Ireland by 290 runs

Hundreds from Brendon McCullum and James Marshall helped New Zealand record a 290-run win over Ireland - the biggest margin of victory in the history of one-day international cricket.

The Kiwis followed on from their 3-1 NatWest Series victory over England with an emphatic rout of an under-strength Irish side in Aberdeen.

McCullum and Marshall set the tone with blistering knocks that saw them share an opening stand of 274 in the first match of the Triangular tournament which also features Scotland.

The stand - the fifth highest for any wicket in ODI's - helped New Zealand post their biggest ever total of 402-2 from 50 overs.

Marvellous McCullum

It was McCullum who reached three figures first, the wicketkeeper-batsman bringing up his first one-day ton off 106 balls.

He went on to make 166, hitting 11 fours and 10 sixes before finally departing when Ryan Haire held on to a catch on the cover boundary off the bowling of Phil Eaglestone to give the Irish their first success in the 43rd over.

Making the most of his opportunity in the team Marshall also helped himself, his 161 taking 141 deliveries and seeing him thump 11 fours and four sixes.

Even when Ireland got a breakthrough it did not stop the onslaught. Ross Taylor came out at number three to strike a rapid 59 from just 24 balls.

Rampant Kiwis

Ireland never got remotely close in reply, Tim Southee and Michael Mason claiming three wickets apiece as Kyle McCallan's side were all out for 112.

Surrey wicketkeeper Gary Wilson had made 21 at the top of the order but once he became the first wicket to fall the innings subsided quickly.

Only some late hitting from tail-ender Peter Connell, who top-scored with 22 not out, ensured Ireland hoisted their tally into three figures.

The final margin of victory surpassed the previous largest managed by India against Bermuda in last year's World Cup in the Caribbean.