Dunlop century alters balance

HAVING WATCHED his side concede the advantage over the best part of three sessions, Angus Dunlop produced an innings of rare quality to leave Ireland's game with the MCC nicely poised as it enters its third and final day at Malahide.

Things looked pretty grim for the home side when Dunlop arrived second wicket down. Alan Lewis' shoulder injury effectively made the score 14 for 3, still 50 runs adrift of the MCC first innings total. Dunlop had failed to get off the mark in the first innings, and the ball had kicked off a length on either side of the lunch interval. A couple of hours later, the game had been completely transformed.

The statistics are remarkable in themselves. Dunlop's maiden international century came from 84 deliveries and included 19 fours, three sixes and six singles. He was eventually out 10 runs short of breaking the record for the highest individual innings by an Ireland player in Ireland, but, together with debutant Andy Patterson, he added a record 206 for the third wicket.

There was the odd testing delivery from Tony Pigott, who wrung his hands, shook his head and appealed with enthusiasm. But soon we had the odd sight of a spread field when Dunlop was on strike and six men catching for Patterson. The youngster grew in confidence, however, eventually scoring fluently square of the wicket and reaching his 50 with a lofted ondrive off Tini Smith.

Having failed narrowly twice to reach three figures against the Welsh the week before last, Dunlop had just one nervy moment in the 90s. Gordon Harris put down a relatively easy catch at deepish mid on, again off Smith, before the batsmnn swept his way to a marvellous century.

Ireland resume 210 runs ahead, with five second innings wickets standing and roughly five and a half hours in which to force a result.

. Yesterday's 50 Over league results failed to decide the last semi final spot. CYM, one of the three hopeful clubs before the weekend, lost by six wickets to Pembroke but were helped by Cork County, who scored their second league win, at Anglesea Road.

Regrettably, the umpires at Rathmines declared the contest void, having twice warned Malahide players about their on field behaviour.