Twitter Reactions: Another heartbreak for Ireland as New Zealand clinch series finale to complete clean sweep

In a heart-breaking one-run loss in Dublin, Paul Stirling and Harry Tector’s brilliant centuries were just not enough to lead Ireland to a historic victory over New Zealand. Martin Guptill‘s remarkable hundred overshadowed the Irishmen’s centuries as the Black Caps posted a huge total of 360/6 in their 50-over quota which put them on the edge of a series win.

Although Tector and Stirling had alternative plans, their efforts just didn’t prove to be enough. Ireland’s bottom order kept swinging hard and narrowed the gap to 10 off the last over at The Village, Malahide, but Blair Tickner maintained his composure to restrict the hosts despite them achieving their highest-ever ODI score.

Before walking off for 115 (126), Guptill caused the early damage by scoring his 18th century in the ODI format, giving his side the upper hand in the game. By this time, Henry Nicholls had taken over as he punished the Irish bowlers with his 54-ball 79 runs which enabled the visitors to set a target of 361 runs for the hosts to chase.

Ireland’s record-breaking innings failed to bring them a win

In reply, Ireland produced a solid show thanks to a historic third-wicket stand between middle-order batter Harry Tector and opener Paul Stirling. The latter reached the three-figure mark in style as he hit a boundary to accomplish the feat, but he had to, unfortunately, exit the game for 120 (103) after falling prey to Matt Henry.

The 179-run partnership between the duo was the highlight of Ireland’s chase. Tector continued his good form and bagged his second century of the three-match series. When he reached the three-figure mark, Ireland looked in a dominating position and it seemed the hosts will pull off a miracle.

However, Ireland’s chances of winning looked poor after Tector went for 108 (106), but George Dockrell kept them in the game with a quick 17-ball 22 before New Zealand held their composure and eventually limited them to 359-9. The visitors thus clinched the ODI series by 3-0, but the hosts surely gave them a tough time and fought in a nail-biting thriller which will go down in the history books as one of their finest performances.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to the proceedings: