“It has been a privilege to witness and contribute to the growth of both Dubai and the golf industry here,” said McMurdo as he reflected on his time at Dubai's famous Resort Golf Course
Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell strangled India with spin as New Zealand won their first Twenty20 by 21 runs on Friday.
Santner (2-11) and Bracewell (2-31) shared four wickets in eight overs to put the brakes on India's chase.
New Zealand posted a lofty 176-6 thanks to half-centuries from Daryl Mitchell (59) and Devon Conway (52) and India were tied down to 155-9.
It was the fourth time New Zealand have defended a sub-200 total in T20s on Indian soil, the most by any visiting side.
“There was a lot of turn and it continued right through the second innings,” Bracewell said. “We were able to get early wickets and capitalise on that start. It is massive to bounce back from the ODI series.”
India swept the ODIs 3-0.
Put in to bat, Finn Allen gave New Zealand a quick start with 35 off 23 balls. He struck four fours and two sixes, putting on 43 off 26 balls with Conway.
Washington Sundar (2-22) struck twice to remove Allen and Mark Chapman, the latter for a duck via a stunning return catch.
Conway, though, scored a half-century off 31 balls, including seven fours and a six to steer New Zealand to 100 in the 13th over.
Conway fell on 52 in the 18th over to Arshdeep Singh, but Mitchell pressed on.
His 26-ball half-century powered the total past 170. Mitchell hit three fours and five sixes as Singh gave away 27 runs in the final over.
In reply, India got off to a poor start due to the Kiwi spinners squeezing the scoreboard.
Bracewell bowled Ishan Kishan (4) and Santner got rid of the in-form Shubman Gill (7). Rahul Tripathi was caught behind for a duck and India were down to 15-3 in the fourth over.
Suryakumar Yadav scored 47 off 34 balls and added 68 runs for the fourth wicket with Hardik Pandya, 21.
But the duo were undone when the spinners returned.
Yadav holed out off Ish Sodi, and Pandya fell to Bracewell. Santner had Deepak Hooda stumped on 10 and the India innings was in tatters at 111-6 in the 16th over.
Sundar's 50 included five fours and three sixes but his maiden T20 half-century off 25 balls could only reduce New Zealand’s winning margin.
The second of three T20s is on Sunday in Lucknow.
“It has been a privilege to witness and contribute to the growth of both Dubai and the golf industry here,” said McMurdo as he reflected on his time at Dubai's famous Resort Golf Course
The second season will see six teams vying for the honours in London after the inaugural season was won by Triveni Continental Kings in Dubai last year
The champion of this week's tournament will earn invites to both The Masters and The Open
His strategy involves investing in modern amenities, expanding instructional programs, and highlighting the course's unique features in Dubai's competitive golf landscape
Rory McIlroy will be joined by several stars including UAE-based Tommy Fleetwood at the Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland
A 32-year-old Dubai Golden Visa Awardee, Stalter has three professional wins including the 2020 Euram Bank Open and two Challenge Tour titles
There will also be a live music concert alongside the thrilling Padel action
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