The Hague, Aug 5 : A superb 45 from Martin Guptill at the top of the batting order, and a four-wicket haul by pace bowler Blair Tickner helped New Zealand beat the Netherlands by 16 runs in the first T20 International at Sportpark Westvliet here. The pair of Tickner and Ben Sears (3/22) shared seven wickets in the game on Thursday in which the Black Caps overcame a spirited Dutch to gain a 1-0 advantage in the series of two games.
The Black Caps batters were made to work hard to achieve their score of 148/7 in 20 overs as Dutch tweakers made it difficult for batters.Jimmy Neesham scored a 17-ball unbeaten 32 at the tail end to give credibility to the Black Caps’ score.
Tickner (4/27) and smashed the Netherlands top order, which left them struggling to reach 15/3 in the fourth over.
Sears his erratic pace caused further problems for the hosts who were able to get the ball out of Teja Nidamanuru with goalkeeper Dave Cleaver taking a well-judged catch.
At 93/7, the Black Caps has the game in their bag because the game was not over for Bas de Leede (66) to take over the goal.
The 2nd T20I is scheduled for Friday.
Brief score: New Zealand 148/7 in 20 overs (Martin Guptill 45) beat Netherlands with 132 (Bas de Leede 66, Tickner 4/27, Sears 3/2) by 16 runs.
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