Dublin : An exceptional performance by Michael Bracewell with both bat and ball helped New Zealand defeat Ireland by three wickets at The Village Stadium, Malahide. Bracewell scalped two wickets and scored 42 runs off 40 balls, to chase down the target of 217 in just 38.1 overs on Tuesday. Apart from him, Allen Finn and Tom Latham scored 60 and 55 runs, respectively. With this win, New Zealand took a 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against Ireland. The start of the match was delayed due to the rain but this was a perfect opportunity for New Zealand and they made the most of it by winning the toss and choosing to bowl. The decision enabled them to make use of the pitch conditions perfectly giving them an advantage before the match started. The decision certainly was a great one as it showed its effects from the start of the game itself with Ireland struggling to get off the mark in the first three overs and even losing a wicket. Ireland was reduced to a score of 5 runs and 2 wickets at the end of 5 overs.