At Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui: Netherlands 202 in 49.4 overs (Michael Rippon 67, Pieter Seelar 43; Blair Tickner 4-50, Kyle Jamieson 3-45) lost to New Zealand 204-3 in 38.3 overs (Will Young 103 not out, Henry Nicholls 57; Rippon 2-32) by seven wickets.
Blair Tickner gave the Netherlands a tickle-up on his ODI debut in Mount Maunganui on Tuesday before Will Young batted the Black Caps to an emphatic victory.
The New Zealand paceman took 4-50 as the tourists were dismissed for 202 in the 50th over batting first at Bay Oval in the first game of their three-match series.
In reply, NZ eased to a seven-wicket win with 11.3 overs to spare. Young made his first ODI ton in just his third attempt, combining in a second-wicket partnership worth 162 with Henry Nicholls (57 off 79 balls) as he ended unbeaten on 103 from 114 balls.
In the absence of a number of frontline Black Caps stars missing the series while playing in the Indian Premier League, Tickner took his opportunity to shine and troubled many of the opposition batting line-up with his pace and bounce, recording speeds of up to 145kph.
The other NZ bowlers to take four wickets on debut in one-day internationals have been Mitchell McClenaghan (4-20), Dayle Hadlee (4-34) and Matt Henry (4-38).
The 28-year-old from Central Districts has played eight Twenty20 matches for NZ, taking five wickets at 46.80.
“It was a good time,” Tickner told Spark Sport soon after the completion of the Netherlands innings.
The last month I’ve felt really good so it was awesome to see on the [speed] gun – obviously I could bowl a bit straighter and a few too many wides.”
He was stoic about missing out becoming the first New Zealander to take five wickets on ODI debut.
“I think I’ve got about 14 first-class ‘four-fers’ and three ‘five-fers’, so I’m used to it.”
Otago allrounder Michael Rippon held the Netherlands’ innings together after they slumped to 45-5 after 13 overs by making 67 off 97 balls before falling in the final over.
He got support from captain Pieter Seelar, who recorded his highest ODI score with a gutsy 43 off 75 balls as the duo put on 80 for the sixth wicket.
While the hosts lost veteran opener Martin Guptill in the fourth over, Young and Nicholls soon put the result beyond doubt against a patchy Netherlands bowling effort.
Ross Taylor, who is retiring from international cricket at the end of the series, got to 11 off 17 balls before being cleaned up by Rippon’s left-arm wrist spin.
The big moment
Tickner raised some eyebrows when he registered 145kph on the speed radar. Kyle Jamieson and Matt Henry were given new-ball duties and each took an early wicket, but the right-armer bent his back as first-change, with the bounce he produced fooling three of his four victims.
Best with the bat
Young was playing just his third ODI but is a vastly experienced and skilful batter. The elegant right-hander displayed a delightful array of stroke-making in his ton.
He struck eight fours and three sixes while playing pace and spin with aplomb.
Best with the ball
Without the likes of Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson available, Blair Tickner made the most of his ODI debut. The right-armer may not ever be a regular in the first-choice one-day team, but helped his chances of staying in the minds of the selectors for the T20 World Cup late this year.
The big picture
The two sides will meet again twice in Hamilton to finish New Zealand’s home summer season, with all eyes set to be on Taylor in his final two international appearances.
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