Cricket:Ireland made it five wins in a row in Group B of the World Twenty20 qualifier in Dubai today as they beat Uganda by 82 runs in their penultimate group game. Going into tomorrow's final game against Oman, it means Ireland will finish in second place in the group with a victory.
If unbeaten Namibia slip at the last hurdle to Italy, Ireland could still take top spot and the chance to play the Group A winners for the first of two places on offer in September's World Twenty finals.
The opening day loss to Namibia has certainly focussed minds in the Ireland camp and they were ruthless in dismantling the Ugandan challenge today. Surprisingly put in to bat after losing the toss, Ireland skipper William Porterfield took full advantage, top-scoring with 53 off 43 balls and sharing in a 78-run with Paul Stirling (41 off 23).
Gary Wilson kept up his great form with a run-a-ball 30, while Kevin O'Brien hit two over the ropes and was unbeaten on 39 off 20 deliveries in a total of 179 for five.
Trent Johnston took a wicket in each of his first two overs, while O'Brien took two in seven deliveries to reduce the African side to 34 for four in the seventh over. They looked like surviving their 20 overs, until George Dockrell took two wickets in the final over to finish with figures of three for 26 as 97 as Uganda were bowled out for 97.
Meanwhile, Clontarf batsman Andrew Poynter is on his way to Dubai to join up with the Ireland squad as a replacement for John Mooney, who was ruled out of the tournament after tearing a hamstring in the victory over Scotland on Sunday. The North County all-rounder is expected to be sidelined for six weeks.
SCORES
Ireland 179-5(20 ovs) (W Porterfield 53, P Stirling 41, K O'Brien 39no, G Wilson 30; J Sebanja 2-9).
Uganda 97(19.5 ovs) (J Sebanja 20, A Siga 18, R Ssemanda 15; G Dockrell 3-26, K O'Brien 2-7, T Johnston 2-8).
Ireland won by 82 runs
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