A resounding victory today. Assuming Afghanistan beat USA, even a narrow enough loss to Scotland might see us through to the Super Four, because our NRR is quite strong after that vicotry today. Nice rebound from yesterday’s loss.
from rte.ie
beat Scotland by 37 runs in their final Group A game at the Twenty20 World Cup qualifiers in Dubai to reach the Super 4’s phase, writes John Kenny.
Phil Simmons’ side were joined in the second stage of the competition by Afghanistan who won all their matches in the group, a sequence that also included victory over Ireland.
Ireland will now play the UAE and the Netherlands for a place in the finals.
Ireland won the toss today and captain William Porterfield elected to bat first posting a total 136 for seven off their 20 overs in a mediocre batting display, with Gary Wilson and Andrew White top scoring on 19 runs each.
Scotland, who needed to score the runs required in 14 overs to knock out Ireland, got off to the worst possible start as they lost five wickets in the first three overs, with Peter Connell removing both openers David Watts and Gavin Hamilton in consecutive deliveries in the very first over.
Trent Johnston chipped in with three wickets of his own as Scotland slumped to 12 for five at one stage.
Having started so disastrously, Scotland found some momentum when Kyle Coetzer and Gordon Drummond added 62 for the fifth wicket to take their side to 74 for five, before Coetzer skied one to Porterfield for 43 and the run chase ended.
Drummond went on to make 35 as Scotland were eventually bowled out for just 99.
Ireland will now play the UAE, the surprise unbeaten winners of Group B at noon tomorrow, followed by a game against the Netherlands on Saturday.
Afghanistan and UAE take two points through to the Super Four, thanks to their victories over Ireland and the Dutch and Ireland need to win both their next two games to give themselves a chance of reaching Saturday night’s final, which would guarantee a place in the finals in the West Indies in April.
Good recovery after the opening defeat but we’re still not really getting the combination of good bowling and batting in the same game - that will need to come in the next stage. I don’t rate Peter Connell but positive that he took a few wickets in the absence of Rankin’s new ball bowling. Gavin Hamilton failed again, I see - he’s an all right sort judging by his banterful reaction to the abuse a few of us were giving him on the boundary in Clontarf in the 2005 CWC Qualifying Competition Final. Appendage is off to Dubai now to take in the Super Four.
Congratulations to Ireland on qualifying for the next ICC World Twenty20. 
Afghanistan and UAE went into the Super Four section on 2 points arising from topping the two groups so the pressure was on and we had to win both of our games against UAE and the Netherlands to get one of the two qualification spots. And that was what we did.
Unfortunately, we lost the final to our new bogey team, Afghanistan, but we’ll be off to the Caribbean again nonetheless. Time to reprise some of our CWC 2007 heroics over there and we’re in the same group as England.
Ah lovely.
Ed Joyce is coming back.
The ICC are absolute fucking bastards but he’s committed to coming back.
I was in Castle Avenue to watch his last cap for us against Scotland in 2005 and I’ll travel anywhere to see him wear the Irish shirt again.
Setanta are covering the ODI against Australia live on June 17 by the way.
Great news about Joyce alright. It’s a shame he never got a Test cap, I think he deserved one. There’s certainly an arguement that he should have got a chance before the likes of Bopara got recalled after failure. Hopefully they can get him back for the World Cup. The ICC will have to give special dispensation as it will be just short of the four years since he last played for England.
I’ve got my ticket for the Aussie game. Anyone else going?
World Cricket League ODI tournament going on in Holland at the moment, where we are defending champions. Two comfortable victories in our first two games, first against Kenya followed by a most satisfactory victory over those damned Afghans. This is all the better as we have a relatively weak squad out there, as Porterfield, Rankin and Niall O’Brien have been left behind due to county commitments. Just looking at the figures, it looks like two good bowling performances, limiting the opposition to less than 200 in both games. Big scores from Stirling and Cusack in the first game, and Poynter has taken his chance against Afghanistan, scoring 78 off 109. They were in trouble at 27/3 when he came in too. Decent support from Kevin O’Brien, and an important 42 off 28 from TJ (who is back in the captaincy in the absence of Porterfield) at the end of the innings.
Next game is against Scotland, who have also won their first two games. Victory there should all but ensure a place in the final.
Another great bowling display against Scotland yesterday. Bowled them out for 117 in 47.2 overs. That must have been excruciating to watch. Not sure I’ve ever seen a team score at less than 2.5 an over in an ODI. Faltered a bit in response at 65/5, but Kevin O’Brien and Mooney saw them through. A place in the final looks very likely now.
Seems like the game with Canda today was a bit similar to the Scotland game. Restricted them to 154/9. Wickets shared around - two each for O’Brien, Dockrell and White. Top order stumbled again, fell to 55/3 and 92/5, but O’Brien and Mooney saw them through again. In the final now, which will be against Scotland or Afghanistan, on Saturday at 11.00.
Looks like a close finish on the way in the final. Scotland posted 232. We’re 153/3 after 32.1 overs. White and Kevin O’Brien have just put up the 100 partnership.
Braz, this game is being streamed online. Google the event and you should get the link.
Cheers Bandage, had a quick check on Cricshow earlier and they didn’t have it on. Found it now. If anyone is interested, it’s available at http://www.espnstar.com/icclive/
Huzzah! Easy victory in the end, though at a couple of different stages today they looked to be in trouble. Kevin O’Brien fittingly hit the winning run. He’s had a good tournament with bat and ball by his figures anyway. He and White played some lovely shots in the bit that I saw, White fell to a stunning catch. This tournament has confirmed our standing as the top associate nation. Six easy victories without some of our best players. Impressive stuff.
Easy victory for the Irish team over Bangladesh today at Stormont. Always good to beat a Test nation, especially one that beat England last week. We were back at full strength (save for the still injured Botha) and the returning players were important. Century for Porterfield and Rankin apparently bowled well for his 3/43. Playing them again tomorrow.
I imagine Rankin will be appearing on the England and Wales radar if he maintains his level of progress.
Yeah, unfortunately proabably true. I was very impressed with him in the Australia game. You could tell their top order was not comfortable facing him. Height with control is a decent combination.
Took a bit of a pasting today, after a top order collapse at the start of the match. Takes a bit of the shine off yesteray’s victory.
Exciting finish in prospect at Harare in the first ODI. Zimbabwe need 44 off the last seven overs and are six down.
It should be noted that we played out a draw with them in the four-day game last week (though I understand that was pretty much Zimbabwe’s second team). They put on a massive score. Boyd Rankin hasn’t made the trip, which partly explains that. It means we can’t retain the Intercontinental Trophy, which is a shame.
Also, ICC’s proposal to limit the number of teams in future World Cups to 10 is not going down well in Irish cricket circles.
NCC will be delighted
Malahide receives €450,000 grant
Malahide Cricket Club has secured funding of €450,000 to build an international-standard cricket ground with a capacity of 12,000.
The announcement was made in a statement released by Dublin North Fianna Fail TD Darragh O’Brien today.
It is ‘conservatively estimated’ that each major international game held at the grounds in future will generate €1.5m for the economy.
The Dublin North TD said: 'I’m delighted to confirm that the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Mary Hanafin has sanctioned a grant of €450,000 for the redevelopment of the cricket ground at Malahide Cricket Club.
'The funding will be used to extend the ground (playing pitch), making it the first international standard cricket ground in the Republic of Ireland with a capacity of 12,000.
‘It will also be the only international ground for any sport in the North Dublin area,’ added Deputy O’Brien.
'While this is great news for cricket and recognition of its growing support, the economic benefits of this development cannot be underestimated.
'The impact of teams like Australia, England and Pakistan travelling here to play Ireland will be enormous for the tourism, transport and hospitality sectors.
'Most people are aware of the continued success of the Irish cricket team - this commitment is an affirmation of the support by the Government for the sport and the hard work of the national team.
'I want to personally thank my colleague Mary Hanafin for her efforts in working to ensure cricket will benefit from this world class facility.
‘Malahide was selected last year as the preferred venue for an international ground and I expect the work to begin very soon following this announcement.’
Deputy O’Brien added: 'Cricket is a fantastic sport which has huge growth potential.
'There is a very loyal following for cricket in the North Dublin area and many other communities around the country.
‘I believe this will only grow and grow as people see the world-class facility we’re constructing here and the social and economic benefits that can come from this kind of investment.’
Cricket Ireland has also welcomed the news, calling Malahide a cricket heartland in the Republic of Ireland.
'Cricket Ireland is delighted with the announcement of funding for the development of Malahide CC into an international venue.
'It is a massive vote of confidence by the Government in our sport, and recognition of our increasing profile on the world stage, which we hope our performances in the World Cup in the New Year will only amplify.
‘It is entirely fitting that one of the true cricket heartlands in this country will play host in years to come to the great teams of the world, such as England and Australia, as Ireland builds on its success and its aspirations to challenge the world’s best.’
Marshall and Joyce named in Ireland squad
Wednesday, 20 October 2010 21:34
Batsmen Hamish Marshall and Ed Joyce have been included in Ireland’s 17-man squad for next month’s tour of India.
Joyce, who last played for Ireland in 2005 before switching his allegiance to England, and former New Zealand international Marshall do not become available to represent Ireland in official one-day internationals until next April, although Cricket Ireland have requested special dispensation to include them in their squad for February’s World Cup.
The India trip will feature four matches against invitational sides of first-class players from 1 to 22 November and coach Phil Simmons said: 'Although Ed and Hamish aren’t officially available yet, I’ve taken the opportunity to bring them along.
‘This is a great chance for them to meet the players and vice versa. They have proven quality, and will be a great addition to our playing strength.’
Alex Cusack returns from injury but Boyd Rankin and Regan West remain sidelined.
Simmons added: ‘Everyone is aware of the need to impress at the World Cup, given the decision to have a 10-team tournament in 2015. It’s vital we stay high in the world rankings, and continue to compete and indeed defeat full member countries.’
Ireland squad for November’s Tour of India: William Porterfield (captain, Warwickshire), Andre Botha (North County), Alex Cusack (Clontarf), George Dockrell (Leinster), Allan Eastwood (Pembroke), Trent Johnston (Railway Union), Nigel Jones (CSN), Ed Joyce (Sussex), Hamish Marshall (Gloucestershire), John Mooney (North County), Kevin O’Brien (Railway Union), Niall O’Brien (Northamptonshire), Andrew Poynter (Clontarf), Paul Stirling (Middlesex), Albert van der Merwe (The Hills), Andrew White (Instonians), Gary Wilson (The Hills).