http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ireland-c751 - Tri – Nation Tournament in Scotland - 25 Overs Recap
The 2nd match of the Tri-Nation tournament takes place between Scotland and Ireland, at the Grange Cricket Club Ground, Raeburn Place, Edinburgh today, July 12, 2011.
After the end of 26 overs, Ireland had posted 157 for the loss of one wicket.
The good news for the cricket fans was that the match started as per the schedule. The conditions, due to overnight rain, were damp, with the ground staff doing a commendable job in making sure that the match started on time.
As both captains came out for the toss, it was Scotland’s skipper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gordon-David-Drummond-c60348, who won. Unsure about how the pitch would perform due to heavy rain, he decided to bowl first.
It was the Irish pairing of Skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Paul-Robert-Stirling-c81193, who opened the innings for their side.
While Porterfield looked cautious, playing the first over maiden, his partner had no such problem and started off blazing at the Scottish bowlers.
Stirling scored 10 from the first over, bowled by Safyaan http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sharif-c89762, which included a handsome cover drive for four and a six out of the park.
From there on, the two complimented each other well, with Stirling taking the charge to the bowlers and Porterfield providing the supporting hand.
The opening bowlers, especially Sharif, lacked rhythm and offered loose deliveries which the openers took advantage of. In his first spell he went for 28 from 4 overs, before the Scottish skipper decided to change the attack.
The decision proved right as second change bowler, Josh Davey, provided his side with a much needed breakthrough.
At the score of 63, Porterfield, trying to smash the ball out of the park, fell to a slower delivery by Davey, scooping the ball high up and giving a simple catch to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KJ-Coetzer-c1798.
The next batsman to come was http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Alex-Richard-Cusack-c43129. He, along with Stirling, took charge of the match with some glorious hitting.
Both batsmen dealt in boundaries while the bowling looked out of sort. Stirling meanwhile brought up his half century with a stylish pull shot, earning applause from fans.
The Scottish skipper, in trying to slow the pace of the innings, used seven bowlers but none could avail http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gordon-James-Muchall-c60376 for the team.
Cusack, after settling in, joined the party, as he too started to score quickly. At the end of 20 overs Ireland had posted 112 with nine wickets still in hand.
Meanwhile, the onslaught continued with both batsmen looking set to post a http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Adam-Griffith-c919 total. The end of the 26th over saw Stirling hit two glorious sixes, each on either side, to remain 78 not out.
Cusack on the other hand looked assured in his innings of 36.
With the likes of Kevin O’ Brien still waiting, Ireland will surely be pushing towards the 300 mark, come the end of their innings.
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