Glenn Phillips' quick-fire 69 and four wickets from Lockie Ferguson inspired New Zealand's 31-run win over Ireland in their opening Twenty20 international on Monday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Phillips was unbeaten in his 52-ball innings as he smashed seven boundaries in New Zealand's total of 173 for eight.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jimmy Neesham kept the runs flowing for New Zealand with a rapid 29 which included a towering six into the sightscreen.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ferguson turned the screw on Ireland in their chase with impressive figures of 4-14 as the hosts were bowled out for 142 in 18.2 overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ireland, who just missed out on a first ever victory over New Zealand when they lost the final ODI by one run last week, elected to field first in Dublin.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It had looked a solid call when New Zealand opener Finn Allen fell for one in the third over off Joshua Little, who finished with four wickets.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Martin Guptill (24) soon followed after he holed out at long off and Dane Cleaver (five) lasted only seven deliveries on his debut, nicking a length ball from Little behind.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Daryl Mitchell was also dismissed for five off Curtis Campher to leave the tourists struggling at 54 for four in the ninth over.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Phillips nipped Ireland's threat in the bud with his flamboyant stroke-play and New Zealand got an early breakthrough in the field when Mitchell Santner claimed a fine catch to dismiss Andy Balbirnie for 12.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Black Caps skipper Santner took two wickets with the ball to reduce Ireland to 69 for five in the 10th over.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Campher (29) and Mark Adair (25) gave Ireland faint hope, but Ferguson ensured the chase proved too much for the hosts.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Scores<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand: 173-8 (20 overs) Phillips 69 not out, Little 4-35, Adair 2-49<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ireland: 142 (18.2 overs) Ferguson 4-14, Neesham 2-19, Santner 2-36<\/p>\r\n\r\n