New Zealand are always considered the underdogs when it comes to any ICC tournament. But their records speak volumes about their performance. They ended up as the runners-up in the last T20 World Cup in 2021. But unfortunately, they lost the finals to Australia. But apart from that, they have always played competitive cricket because New Zealand has one of the best all-round teams.
Notably, the Black Caps are only the second team that has eight or more centuries in T20 cricket. That shows the level of batting greats they have in their lineup. When it comes to scoring two or more centuries, there are three New Zealanders on the line. So in this article, we will discuss the highest individual score made by the Black Caps in the T20.
3. Colin Munro (109* runs) against India at Rajkot
Colin Munro is the only New Zealander to have three centuries in the shorter format. His highest score came against India at Rajkot. It was the second match of the three-match T20Is. After winning the toss, the Black Caps chose to bat first. They had a really good start as the openers made 105 runs for the opening wicket. Martin Guptill got out after scoring 46 runs. But Munro kept on scoring runs on the other end.
The left-hander brought up a 54-ball century and made 109* off 58 balls, with 7 fours and 7 sixes. New Zealand scored 196/2 in their 20 overs. In reply, India didn’t have a great start as they lost their first two wickets for just 11 runs. However, skipper Virat Kohli (65) and MS Dhoni (49) did try hard. But India lost that match by 40 runs and Munro was adjudged the “Man of the Match”.
2. Brendon McCullum (116* runs) against Australia at Christchurch
Brendon McCullum was the first ever centurion for New Zealand in T20 internationals, which is also the second highest individual score for his team. This match ended in a tie, and New Zealand won it in a super-over. Batting first, the Black Caps scored 214/6 in their 20 overs. There was not much contribution, but it was McCullum that took the score past the 200-run mark single-handedly. He scored a 50-ball century and made an unbeaten 116* runs off 56 balls, with 12 fours and 8 sixes.
In reply, Australia also batted really well, scoring exactly 214/4 in their 20 overs. Thus, the game was tied and it went into a super over. For New Zealand, Tim Southee gave away only 6 runs in the super-over, which was easily chased by the Black Caps. In the end, it was McCullum that won the “Man of the Match”.
1. Brendon McCullum (123 runs) against Bangladesh (Highest Individual T20 score for New Zealand)
Brendon McCullum holds both the first and second highest scores by a New Zealander in T20. He scored the highest score against Bangladesh at Pallekele in the fifth match of the 2012 T20 World Cup. Batting first, New Zealand scored 191/3 in their 20 overs. McCullum went briserk and scored a 50-ball century to break all records. He scored 123 runs off 58 balls, with 11 fours and 7 maximums.
In reply, Bangladesh lost their first three wickets for just 33 runs. In the end, they could only manage 132/8 in their 20 overs and lost the match by 59 runs. For New Zealand, Kyle Mills and Tim Southee took three wickets each. McCullum won the “Man of the Match” for his century.
List of Highest Individual T20 Score for New Zealand
Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Against | Venue | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brendon McCullum | 123 | 58 | 11 | 7 | Bangladesh | Pallekele | 21 Sep 2012 |
Brendon McCullum | 116* | 56 | 12 | 8 | Australia | Christchurch | 28 Feb 2010 |
Colin Munro | 109* | 58 | 7 | 7 | India | Rajkot | 4 Nov 2017 |
Glenn Philips | 108 | 51 | 10 | 8 | West Indies | Mount Maunganui | 29 Nov 2020 |
Martin Guptill | 105 | 54 | 6 | 9 | Australia | Auckland | 16 Feb 2018 |
Colin Munro | 104 | 53 | 3 | 10 | West Indies | Mount Maunganui | 3 Jan 2018 |
Glenn Phillips | 104 | 64 | 10 | 4 | Sri Lanka | Sydney | 29 Oct 2022 |
Martin Guptill | 101* | 69 | 9 | 6 | South Africa | East London | 23 Dec 2012 |
Colin Munro | 101 | 54 | 7 | 7 | Bangladesh | Mount Maunganui | 6 Jan 2017 |
Devon Conway | 99* | 59 | 10 | 3 | Australia | Christchurch | 22 Feb 2021 |
Martin Guptill | 97 | 50 | 6 | 8 | Australia | Dunedin | 25 Feb 2021 |