CRICKET TWENTY20 INTERNATIONALS:IRELAND RACKED up their highest score in Twenty20 Internationals at the SCC yesterday, but it was to prove all in vain as they lost to Canada by four runs in a high-scoring Quadrangular series clash.
With Sri Lanka A later hammering Afghanistan by 69 runs, it means Ireland know that even a victory over the hosts in this afternoon’s final tie may not be enough to claim the title.
Ireland skipper William Porterfield won the toss and inserted Canada, only to see his attack toil away for little reward in the intense morning heat as they made 176 for three.
In fairness, it was a belter of a track, but Canada were helped by an off-key Irish bowling attack.
And Ireland coach Phil Simmons had bad news after Phil Eaglestone went over on an ankle in the early stages.
In the end, Andre Botha was the only wicket-taker for Ireland, and even his return of three for 35 was helped by two wickets in the final over.
Canadian opener Hiral Patel proved the star with the bat, finishing unbeaten on 88 from 61 deliveries, while Ashish Bagai (42 from 27) and Rizwan Cheema (34) also made hay.
Porterfield and Niall O’Brien ensured Ireland were ahead of the rate in the early overs, before the skipper fell for 19 in the fifth over with 51 already on the board.
Paul Stirling hit a beautiful, straight six in his knock of 22, but his departure signalled a mini collapse as Kevin O’Brien was run out by a direct hit after making five and older brother Niall went after making 50 from 34 balls.
Gary Wilson chipped in with 22 and Andre Botha made 11, but regular wickets gave Canada the edge in the closing overs.
Ireland entered the last over requiring 12 runs to win, with Andrew White and John Mooney at the wicket. But the boundaries wouldn’t come and, once Mooney was run out with two balls left, Ireland’s hopes evaporated.
Simmons looks set to include Peter Connell in place of Eaglestone in his side for today’s clash. With Trent Johnston set to be rested, all-rounder Nigel Jones is in line to make the starting XI.
Scorecard
CANADA
H Patelnot out 88
R Cheemab Botha 34
A Bagaib Botha 42
U Bhattic and b Botha 6
K Chohannot out 0
Extras(b1, lb2, w3) 6
–––––
Total(for 3 wkts, 20 ovs) 176
Fall of wickets: 1-68, 2-169, 3-175.
Bowling:Eaglestone 2-0-16-0; Johnston 4-0-24-0; K O'Brien 4-0-38-0; Kidd 3-0-32-0; Botha 4-0-35-3; Mooney 2-0-18-0; Stirling 1-0-10-0.
IRELAND
W Porterfieldc Cheema b Baidwan 19
N O'Brienlbw b Chohan 50
P Stirlingc Cheema b Bhatti 22
K O'Brienrun out 5
G Wilsonb Bhatti 27
A Botharun out 11
T Johnstonc Osinde b Bhatti 2
J Mooneyrun out 9
A Whitenot out 18
G Kiddnot out 1
Extras(b5, lb1, w2) 8
–––––
Total(for 8 wkts, 20 ovs) 172
Did not bat:P Eaglestone.
Fall of wickets:1-51, 2-90, 3-96, 4-105, 5-140, 6-143, 7-143, 8-170.
Bowling:Osinde 1-0-13-0; Chohan 4-0-25-1; Baidwan 4-0-38-1; Cheema 4-0-41-0; Patel 1-0-6-0; Dhaniram 2-0-17-0; Bhatti 4-0-26-3.
Canada won by four runs
Sri Lanka A 175-5 (20 ovs) (Udawatte 103no, Silva 31, Rupasinghe 21; Hasan 3-26), Afghanistan 106-8 (20 ovs) (Shehzad 56, Mirwais 25no; Senanayake 2-21, Jayasinghe 2-24). Sri Lanka A won by 69 runs.
PWLPts
Sri LankaA2204
Canada2112
Ireland2112
Afghanistan2020
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