Martin Guptill’s century helps New Zealand ‘A’ to big win over Ireland

Martin Guptill’s brilliant century helped New Zealand ‘A’ gain revenge over Ireland with a comprehensive 111-run victory at the ICC Global Cricket Academy in Dubai.

The opening batsman top-scored with 129 from 120 deliveries (nine fours, five sixes) as New Zealand ran up an imposing total of 337 in their 50 overs.

The 28 year-old, who has played 87 ODIs and 31 Tests for his country, shared an opening stand of 138 with Dean Brownlie (66) to give their side a solid platform.

Stuart Thompson (three for 47) and Peter Chase (three for 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 (two for 54) bowled his full quota of overs, while Andrew Balbirnie (one 34) was the other Irish wicket-taker.

The Irish reply got off to the worst possible start, losing opener Paul Stirling for a duck and Niall O'Brien for 11.

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 Mitchell McClenaghan ( three for 37) after an excellent 63 from 77 balls (five fours, three sixes).

Stuart Thompson went without scoring just two balls later, and at 124 for five, Ireland needed to rebuild.

That's exactly what Gary Wilson and John Mooney did, the experienced pair adding 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, with Mooney 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 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 (49.5 ovs) (M Guptill 129, D Brownlie 66, K Mills 36, N McCullum 31, A Devcich 23, D de Boorder 22; P Chase 3-38, S Thompson 3-47, A Cusack 2-54).

IRELAND 226 (49.5 ovs) (W Porterfield 63, J Mooney 49no, G Wilson 41, A Balbirnie 36; A Milne 5-33, M McClenaghan, 3-37)

New Zealand ‘A’ beat Ireland by 111 runs.