The New Zealand cricket team is currently ranked number five in the Twenty-20 International (T20I) standings and is also the runners-up of the men's T20I World Cup. Under the leadership of Kane Williamson, the team has progressed immensely on every front and in every format. They have some great T20 specialist players who are match-winners and capable of turning the game in their favour in any given situation. Today, we shall point out some of the highest totals scored by New Zealand in T20 internationals and the various players involved in achieving these feats.

1. Against Scotland In 2022

On July 29, 2022, New Zealand broke its previous record for scoring the highest total in T20 internationals. The game was against Scotland at Edinburgh, and after winning the toss, New Zealand decided to bat first. In 20 overs, the Kiwis scored 254 runs for five wickets, with Mark Chapman top-scoring with 83 runs off 44 balls.

2. Against West Indies In 2018

The second match to feature on the list is from the 2018 West Indies tour of New Zealand. It was the third T20I of the series and was to be played at Mount Maunganui. New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first. The decision proved correct as the Kiwis put up a mammoth 243 runs on the board, with Colin Munro scoring a brilliant 104 runs off 53 balls.

3. Against Australia In 2018

In 2018, New Zealand scored another of their highest T20 international totals. This time, it was in Auckland against arch-rivals Australia. The toss fell in favour of New Zealand and they elected to bat first. With the help of Martin Guptill’s 105 runs off 54 balls, the Blackcaps scored 243 for 6 in their 20 overs.

4. Against West Indies In 2020

New Zealand’s fourth highest T20 international score came in 2020 against the West Indies at Mount Maunganui in the fifth match of the series. The West Indies won the toss and put New Zealand to bat first. Taking the opportunity to put runs on the board, the Kiwis scored 238 runs in their 20 overs. Glenn Phillips scored a brilliant 108 off 51 balls and Devon Conway also got a half-century to his name.

5. Against Scotland In 2022

Just two days before scoring their highest T20I total, the New Zealand team posted their fifth highest total in T20Is against Scotland at Edinburgh. New Zealand was put into bat by Scotland, and the Kiwis scored 225 runs in their 20 overs. Finn Allen top-scored with 101 runs off 44 balls.

6. Against India In 2019

The next match on the list is from the 2019 India tour of New Zealand. In the first T20 of the series, which was played at Wellington, the Blackcaps scored 219 runs for the loss of six wickets batting first. Tim Seifert, the wicketkeeper batter, scored 84 runs off 43 balls. The Kiwis won the match comfortably by 80 runs.

7. Against Australia In 2021

The sixth highest total for New Zealand in T20 internationals came in 2021 against Australia at Dunedin. After winning the toss, the Australians elected to field first. Batting first, the Kiwis put up 219 runs on the board at a loss of seven wickets. Martin Guptill, the opener, provided a solid start and scored 97 runs off 50 balls.

8. Against West Indies In 2022

The eighth highest total of New Zealand in T20Is was scored in 2022 against the West Indies at Kingston in the second T20I of the series. The Blackcaps won the toss and elected to bat first and put up 215 runs on the board. Glenn Phillips scored 76 runs off 41 balls. In the chase, the West Indies could manage to score only 125.

9. Against Australia In 2010

In 2010, New Zealand scored its ninth highest total in T20 internationals against Australia at Christchurch. New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat first, and with the help of Brendon McCullum’s blistering 116 runs off 56 balls, the Kiwis scored 214 runs in their 20 overs. Australia too scored 214 runs in their 20 overs and the game went into a super over. Eventually, in the super over, it was the Blackcaps who emerged victorious.

10. Against India In 2019

In the 2019 India tour of New Zealand, the Kiwis scored another of their biggest T20I totals in the third match of the series at Hamilton. New Zealand was put into bat first after India won the toss. The Kiwis scored 212 runs in 20 overs, with Colin Munro scoring 72 runs off 40 balls. The Indians, in reply, could score only 208 runs and lost the match by four runs.