Cricket: New Zealand caps off T20 series with record 259
Glenn Phillips anchored a 259 run total at Eden Park, securing an 87 run victory over India in the fifth and final match of the series.
By Yasmin Nasser ·
New Zealand defeated India by 87 runs on Friday at Eden Park in Auckland.
The Black Caps posted 259 for 7, their highest total in Twenty20 international history, to close out a five match series that India leads 3-1.
New Zealand entered the final match trailing 0-3 after losing the first three fixtures. India had controlled the early stages of the series, limiting New Zealand scoring opportunities. The final contest served as a rebound for the hosts, who reversed the momentum with a dominant batting performance followed by a tight bowling attack.
Glenn Phillips scored a century to anchor the innings. He was supported by Michael Bracewell, who struck 65 runs off 25 balls. The two players combined for a rapid partnership, including a fifty stand off 18 balls. Bracewell and Phillips hit 16 sixes between them, breaking through a slow outfield caused by intermittent rain. Finn Allen opened the innings but was dismissed after reaching fifty. Daryl Mitchell contributed 24 runs before falling. Phillips was dismissed in the final over, receiving a standing ovation from the 39,000 spectators present.
India chased the target with Jacob Duffy taking two wickets in his first over. He dismissed Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson early in the innings. Abhishek Sharma and Shreyas Iyer attempted to stabilize the chase, reaching fifty before Sharma was caught behind off Matt Fisher. Adam Milne dismissed Sharma later, leaving India at 56 for 4. Mitch Santner took two wickets in the eighth over, removing Nitish Kumar Reddy and Axar Patel. Bracewell, the captain, added a sixth wicket for New Zealand. India batted out the final overs, with tailenders Tilak Varma and Prince Yadav forming a 37 run stand that slowed the pace of the final innings.
The series concludes with India holding a 3-1 lead. The teams next meet in a One Day International series starting Wednesday. The final T20 match was played in Hamilton on Sunday, though the source notes the series ends with the result in India's favor. The next scheduled event for both squads is the commencement of the ODI series.
