CRICKETWHAT LOOKED like a massive task on paper turned into a massacre when it moved on to grass here yesterday as an under-strength Ireland side went down to a 290-run defeat to New Zealand in the first game of the Tri Nations series.
The record books will show it as the worst defeat in One Day International history, eclipsing Bermuda's 257-run defeat to India at last year's World Cup.
The potential was always there for such a one-sided game with Ireland missing at least six front-line starters, due to injury and player unavailability. What is does for the credibility of the game is one for another day, with Phil Simmons' side having the chance to save some face when they take on Scotland at the same ground today.
Having warned Ireland they intended to keep the throttle hard to the floor to end their tour, the Black Caps were relentless as they posted a team-record 402 for two off their 50 overs, the sixth highest score in ODI history.
Much of that was built around a stunning opening partnership between Brendon McCullum and James Marshall that at one stage threatened the first-wicket record of 286 set by Sri Lanka's Upul Tharanga and Sanath Jayasuriya against England at Headingley two years ago to the day.
In the end they fell just 12 short, McCullum holing out to Ryan Haire on the extra cover boundary on 166 attempting to hit his 11th six of a startling innings of power and timing. It was arguably the finest exhibition of batting seen on the ground since Don Bradman hit an undefeated 123 against Scotland 60 years ago in his last international match for Australia.
Despite being one of the most destructive players in the world game, McCullum must still doff his cap to the master, who took just 89 minutes over his knock all those years ago, 70 minutes less than the New Zealander.
The startling statistic is it was the 26-year-old's first century in 134 ODIs, and he didn't stop there, taking just 20 more balls to reach his 150. Marshall also recorded his first ODI ton and was even more daring once he had reached three figures, making it to 150 in just 14 more deliveries.
He had moved on to 161 before wicketkeeper Gary Wilson held his nerve under a skier to give Reinhardt Strydom his first international wicket with the first ball of the final over.
Ross Taylor also bathed his feet late in the innings, hitting an unbeaten 59 off 24 balls.
No Irish bowler was spared in the onslaught, with New Zealand-born Peter Connell coming in for some serious clout, going for 95 from his nine overs on his ODI debut.
Ireland's first target was the 145 runs required to avoid a record ODI defeat, and the openers made a breezy start to move on to 28 before Strydom played a Tim Southee delivery on to his stumps in the fifth over. Wilson went in the next over to Michael Mason, McCullum juggling a catch at second slip that Taylor held onto at first.
Ireland's middle order capitulated, with the next five batsman failing to make double figures as Southee and Mason helped themselves to three wickets apiece.
