Ireland fall one-run short chasing huge New Zealand score

The Black Caps looked on course for a convincing win after Martin Guptill’s century laid the foundations for a total of 360 for six from 50 overs

New Zealand survived a record-breaking Ireland charge led by centuries from Paul Stirling and Harry Tector for a dramatic one-run victory in Friday’s third one-day international in Dublin.

“It was an amazing game,” said Andy Balbirnie the Ireland captain. “A bitter pill to swallow, but it was great.”

The Black Caps looked on course for a convincing win after Martin Guptill’s century laid the foundations for a total of 360 for six from 50 overs.

Stirling and Tector made the tourists sweat with some superb stroke-play in a tense finish.

Ireland’s lower order managed to bring the chase down to 10 off the last over.

They scored five off Blair Tickner’s first three balls, then Craig Young was run out trying for a second run.

Graham Hume needed three off the last ball, but his huge swing missed. Ireland got only a leg bye and, despite their highest ever ODI score of 359 for nine, suffered their third narrow loss of the series.