Cricket is a team game. However, in the shortest format of this game, we have occasionally seen that it takes just one person’s brilliant performance to take the game away from the opposition. However, this task is not as easy as it sounds. It takes a great amount of skill to settle down and build a quick innings. New Zealand has given the game many batters that possess that ability to single-handedly determine the course of the match. Now, we will deep dive into this topic, and learn the names of the highest scorers for New Zealand in the T20I World Cups.
1. Brendon McCullum Vs Bangladesh
We start the list with Brendon McCullum’s knock of 123 runs against Bangladesh in the 2012 T20I World Cup. While playing with a strike rate of more than 200, McCullum hit eleven fours and seven sixes in his 58-run knock. New Zealand defeated Bangladesh by a huge margin of 59 runs.
2. Glenn Phillips Vs Sri Lanka
On number two, we have a 104-run knock by Glenn Phillips. While batting first, Glenn hit ten fours and four sixes in 54 balls to register a strike rate of 162.50. The knock came during the group match of 2022 against Sri Lanka. A brilliant performance by the Kiwi bowlers ensured that they won this match by 65 runs.
3. Martin Guptill Vs Scotland
Next on the list is Martin Guptill’s knock of 93 runs against Scotland in 2021. Guptill’s 56-ball innings comprised six fours and seven sixes and he recorded a strike rate of 166.07. Guptill helped the team reach a total of 172 runs which the Scottish batters failed to chase down.
4. Devon Conway Vs Australia
On the fourth spot, we have Devon Convoy’s unbeaten knock of 92 runs in 2022. While batting first, Devon played with a strike rate of 158.62, hitting seven fours and two sixes in 58 balls to guide New Zealand to a mammoth total of 200 runs. In reply, the Australian innings ended at 111 runs.
5. Kane Williamson Vs Australia
Moving ahead, we have Kane Williamson’s inning of 85 runs against Australia in the 2021 T20I World Cup. He hit ten fours and three sixes in 48 balls to help New Zealand post a target of 172 runs. Even the strike rate of 177.08 wasn’t enough, as this total was chased down by Australia with eight wickets still in hand.
6. Martin Guptill Vs Pakistan
Standing in sixth place, we have Martin Guptill’s 80-run knock, which came against Pakistan. Guptill registered a strike rate of 166.66 by hitting ten fours and three sixes in 48 balls. In this group stage match of 2016, New Zealand defeated Pakistan by successfully defending a total of 180 runs.
7. Daryl Mitchell Vs England
In number seven, we have Daryl Mitchell. Daryl played an unbeaten inning of 72 runs in 47 balls. This inning included four fours and four sixes. The strike rate of 153.19 ensured that New Zealand won the 2016 semi-final against England to make it to the finals, where they played against Australia.
8. Brendon McCullum Vs Netherlands
Brendon McCullum once again makes it to the list, this time for his knock of 65 runs in 45 balls against the Netherlands in the 2014 T20I World Cup. The inning comprised four fours and three sixes and had a strike rate of 144.44. The team successfully chased down Netherlands’ total of 151 runs with six wickets still in hand.
9. Aaron Redmond Vs Ireland
On the ninth spot, we have Aaron Redmond’s knock of 63 runs against Ireland in the 2009 T20I World Cup. Aaron played with a tremendous strike rate of 210 runs while hitting 13 fours but no sixes in his 30-ball inning. New Zealand ended up winning the match by a huge margin of 83 runs.
10. Ross Taylor Vs West Indies
Last but not least, we have Ross Taylor making it to this list of high scorers. Taylor played an unbeaten knock of 62 runs in 40 balls while hitting three fours and three sixes. He recorded a strike rate of 155.00 in this 2012 T20I World Cup inning. The thrilling match ended in a tie. However, West Indies won in the one-over eliminator.
