In the first ODI, Ireland's Harry Tector and New Zealand's Michael Bracewell both scored centuries.[5] Bracewell's 127 not out helped New Zealand to win the match by one wicket with one ball remaining.[6] New Zealand won the second ODI by three wickets to win the series with a match to play.[7] New Zealand won the third and final ODI by one run to win the series 3–0.[8]
New Zealand won the first T20I by 31 runs,[9] with Glenn Phillips scoring an unbeaten 69 runs.[10] New Zealand also won the second T20I, by the margin of 88 runs,[11] with Dane Cleaver scoring 78 not out and Michael Bracewell taking a hat-trick.[12] New Zealand won the third T20I by six wickets, to also win the T20I series 3–0.[13]
Background
Originally, the New Zealand cricket team were scheduled to tour Ireland in June and July 2020,[14] along with a tour Scotland to play an ODI and T20I match.[15] Initially, Cricket Ireland announced that Bready Cricket Club Ground would not be hosting any matches at the venue due to their financial position.[16] However, when Cricket Ireland confirmed the fixtures in December 2019,[17] the T20I matches were confirmed to be taking place at the ground.[18]
The COVID-19 pandemic put the tour in doubt.[19] In April 2020, David White, Chief Executive of New Zealand Cricket, said that the tour would be "most unlikely" to happen.[20] Later the same month, Cricket Ireland's Chief Executive, Warren Deutrom, stated that international cricket in Ireland during 2020 was at "high risk" due to the pandemic.[21][22] Deutrom later added that New Zealand's tour to Ireland was "fairly doubtful".[23] However, the tour was postponed on 15 May 2020 due to the pandemic.[24][25]
Adam Milne was ruled out of New Zealand's T20I squad due to an Achilles injury with Jacob Duffy named as his replacement.[30] Ireland's Conor Olphert was ruled out of the T20I series with a knee injury,[31] with Fionn Hand named as his replacement.[32]
