Playing long innings are not easy, especially in the T20I format where runs are to scored at a very quick rate. However, understanding the pitch and handling the bowlers with the right approach could make this quite easy. Once set, the batter can hit these bowlers all around the ground.
The Kiwi batters have made a quality image in front of the world by putting up some best batting performances. In this article, we will take a look at the highest individual score put up for New Zealand in the T20I format.
1. Brendon Mccullum Vs. Bangladesh
The first name on this list is Brendon McCullum, who scored 123 runs against Bangladesh in the ICC World Twenty20 of 2012. With the help of McCullum’s eleven fours and seven sixes, New Zealand put up 191 runs on the board in the first inning. In reply, Bangladesh could score only 132 runs and thus, lost the match by 59 runs.
2. Brendon Mccullum Vs. Australia
The second spot also belong to Brendon McCullum for his unbeaten inning of 116 runs from 56 balls. While playing against Australia in the bilateral series of 2010, McCullum hit twelve fours and eight sixes to guide New Zealand to a score of 214 runs. However, the match first resulted in a tie as Australia scored 214 runs. New Zealand won the super over.
3. Colin Munro Vs. India
Next up, we have Colin Munro, who played an unbeaten knock of 109 runs against India in the bilateral series of 2017. Colin’s inning comprised of seven sixes and seven fours and powered New Zealand to a total of 196 runs. Later, India had to face a 40-run defeat as they could score only 156 runs in their 20 overs.
4. Glenn Phillips Vs. West Indies
Glenn Phillips makes it to the fourth spot of this list by putting together 108 runs against West Indies during the West Indies tour of New Zealand in 2020. New Zealand recorded a first inning score of 238 runs with the help of Glenn’s ten fours and eight sixes. The visitors could score only 166 runs in the second inning.
5. Martin Guptill Vs. Australia
Standing on number five, we have Martin Guptill, who accumulated 105 runs against Australia in the Trans-Tasman Twenty20 Tri-Series of 2018. While chasing a target of 244 runs, Guptill hit six fours and nine sixes to register a five-wicket victory with seven balls still remaining in the game.
6. Mark Chapman Vs. Pakistan
Moving ahead, Mark Chapman finds a way to this list with his unbeaten inning of 104 runs from 57 balls. While touring Pakistan in 2023, Chapman hit eleven fours and four sixes. New Zealand registered a six-wicket victory in the match as they were able to chase down the host’s total of 193 runs in the final over.
7. Colin Munro Vs. West Indies
Making it to the seventh place, we have Colin Munro who scored 104 runs from 53 balls with the help of three fours and ten sixes. After scoring 243 runs against West Indies in the 2018 bilateral series, the Kiwi bowlers put up a brilliant bowling display to bowl out West Indies for only 124 runs
8. Glenn Phillips Vs. Sri Lanka
Glenn Phillips returns to the list with his knock of 104 runs from 53 balls. This inning came against Sri Lanka in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2022 and included ten fours and six sixes. However, Glenn did not get much help from other batters and New Zealand scored 167 runs in the first inning. Ultimately, they won the match by 65 runs.
9. Martin Guptill Vs. South Africa
The ninth position also belongs to Martin Guptill for his unbeaten 101-run inning against South Africa. During the bilateral series in 2012, Guptill hit nine fours and six sixes while chasing a target of 169 runs. New Zealand won this rain affected match by eight wickets on the last ball.
10. Colin Munro Vs. Bangladesh
Colin Munro features on this list for the third time, this time for his score of 101 runs off 54 balls. Colin’s inning included seven fours and seven sixes. New Zealand won this bilateral series match in 2017 by a margin of 47 runs as they successfully defended their total of 195 runs.
