Ireland's Group Two Plate match against the Netherlands at Colombo's Radella Grounds in the Cricket Youth World Cup in Sri Lanka yesterday had to be reduced to 40 overs. But after Peter Shields had won the toss and batted first, the Irish pulled off a fine victory by 19 runs, with just nine balls to spare.
Much of the credit must go to opener Dom Joyce, whose top-scoring 58 was hit off 101 balls and included five boundaries. He was Ireland's sixth batsman out, with the score on 128.
Ryan Haire supported well, hitting a lively 23 off 35 deliveries, including two sixes.
Though coming in at number eight, Raja was the Netherlands' best batsman; his 43 came off 46 balls and included two fours and two sixes.
Conor Armstrong was Ireland's most effective bowler, removing three of the opposition's top four batsmen, for an excellent return of three for 13 off six overs, while Jonathan Gardiner picked up two for 38, including the wicket of Raja.
Ireland now meet the Americas tomorrow.
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