Kiwis in cruise control

Brendon McCullum hit 11 fours and 10 sixes in his thrilling 166 off 141 balls

New Zealand wound down from their NatWest Series triumph against England with a record-breaking display against Ireland.

Three days after completing a 3-1 success over England, Daniel Vettori’s men proved far too strong for a makeshift Ireland outfit in the opening game of a triangular tournament in Aberdeen which also involves Scotland.

Their 290-run success at Mannofield was the biggest margin of victory in the history of one-day international cricket, surpassing India’s 257-run romp against Bermuda at last year’s World Cup.

If Ireland captain Kyle McCallan thought the wicket would offer early assistance to his bowlers, he soon discovered otherwise as the Black Caps rattled-up 402 for two – their highest one-day total.

That included an opening stand of 274 between Brendon McCullum and James Marshall, the fifth highest for any wicket in all one-day international cricket.

McCullum led the way with a blistering 166 from just 141 deliveries, surprisingly his first ODI century.

None of the Ireland bowlers were spared from the onslaught as the opener hit 11 fours and 10 sixes.

Marshall, a peripheral figure against England, made the most of his opportunity by also reaching three figures for the first time.

Having taken 120 balls to post his hundred, Marshall stepped up several gears to add a further 61 from 21 deliveries.

Ireland took until the 43rd over to enjoy their first success when McCullum, attempting another maximum, was safely held on the cover boundary by Ryan Haire off Phil Eaglestone.

McCullum’s departure brought little respite as Ross Taylor set about an increasingly ragged Ireland attack with a venomous onslaught which saw him race to an unbeaten 59 from only 24 ball, with one of his four sixes comfortably clearing the pavilion on its way out of the ground.

There was one further consolation for Ireland when Marshall skied a catch to wicketkeeper Gary Wilson off Reinhardt Strydom in the final over.

However, the suffering was to continue for the men from the Emerald Isle as an abject batting display saw them routed for just 112.

Openers Strydom and Wilson looked in little difficulty in moving to 27 without loss off four overs.

However, when Strydom was bowled by Tim Southee in the next over, the rot quickly set in with wickets falling at regular intervals.

Southee and Michael Mason claimed three wickets apiece while only some lusty hitting from tailender Peter Connell, who top-scored with 22 not out, ensured Ireland hoisted their tally into three figures.