Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell and Dane Cleaver: These New Zealand cricketers were largely unknown to the cricket planet until July 29’s second T20I between the Kiwis and Scotland.
But now that they’ve helped their nation post its highest score in T20 internationals, the same names have become overnight stars.
In his post-match interview after the Edinburgh game, Man-of-The-Match Mark Chapman revealed that before the game has begun, NZ had ‘talked about the mindset of taking the game on. They are so in style.
New Zealand post their highest T20I total as Chapman and Bracewell star
The Blacks Caps were pegged back after opting to bat first when their in-form opener Finn Allen departed cheaply. However, it was an unlikely precursor to the record-tumbling destruction that led them to 254 for 5.
Dane Cleaver started the innings with a four off the first ball and was the source of their powerplay dominance alongside 28-year-old Mark Chapman.
New Zealand crossed 60 in the powerplay although they lost the over-attacking Cleaver to a botched scoop in the process.
Chapman upped the ante in the middle overs and played a central role in setting the highest T20I total in NZ cricket history. The left-hander smashed the ball to all parts of the ground en route to his 83(44) to share 62 and 53 for the third and fourth wicket before falling in the 16th over.
Michael Bracewell –who had got his eye in by the time Chapman fell– then showcased his hitting abilities once again.
Owing to his boundary-filled 25-ball-61 not out, Bracewell managed to overshadow the designated finisher in Neesham (28 off 13). The duo added 79 runs off the last 5 overs and played a pivotal role in taking their side to its highest T20I total ever: 254 for 5.
Over-attack was the theme of 29 July at the Land of Cakes (Scotland) as New Zealand cakewalked to their new top score in the format.
The 254 for 5 scored against Scotland has overwritten the previous T20I highest of 243 for 5 that the New Zealand Cricket Team managed versus the Caribbean in 2018.
Also Read: Mohammad Kaif slams Rohit & Dravid for ‘out of the box’ decision in 1st T20I vs WI
However, the 102-run-win against Scotland could not supersede the 119-run-victory that the Kiwis enjoyed in the aforementioned game in 2018.
The contrast between the two games
The stark contrast between the two games exists in the fact that only two Black Caps cricketers (both bowlers) Ish Sodhi and skipper Mitchell Santner featured in both fixtures.
The previous highest total featured a Colin Munro ton-up to go with useful contributions from Guptill, Williamson and Tom Bruce.
Meanwhile, none of them (or other regulars) took part in the 254 for 5 versus Scotland which has now become the highest T20 international total from NZ and the 5th highest T20I total amongst regular and associate cricket nations.
