Wilson century steers Ireland to victory

Cricket:A maiden one-day century from wicketkeeper Gary Wilson saw Ireland to an impressive 70-run win over the Netherlands at Castle Avenue in Clontarf.

Wilson, whose previous top score in 20 ODIs was 60, hit 113 in 147 balls at the top of the order as the hosts posted 275 for six having been put in to bat first.

Wilson put on 82 for the first wicket alongside Paul Stirling (40) and then added 118 with number three Alex Cusack (45).

The Netherlands forced their way back into proceedings with two wickets apiece for Pieter Seelar and Maurits Jonkman but the Irish total was still a considerable one.

Kevin O’Brien made the chase even harder when he struck twice with the new ball to leave the Dutch 22 for two in the seventh over.

Tom Cooper’s brisk 68 briefly lifted the visiting side but Andrew White returned four for 44 as the innings subsided for 205.

The win moved Ireland to 10th on the ICC one-day standings.

Ireland v Netherlands

Ireland:P Stirling, G Wilson (Wkt), A Cusack, K O'Brien A White, A Poynter, J Mooney, D Johnston (Capt), N Jones, A van der Merwe, G Dockrell.

Netherlands:E Szwarczynski, T Heggelman, T Cooper, W Barresi (Capt), B Zuiderent, P Borren (Wkt), M Bukhari, B Kruger, P Seelaar, M Jonkman, A Raja.

SCORECARD
(at Castle Avenue): The Netherlands won the toss and fielded.

IRELAND
G Wilson c Kruger b Seelaar 113
P Stirling run out 40
A Cusack c Cooper b Seelaar 45
K O'Brien c Cooper b Bukhari 26
J Mooney b Jonkman 11
T Johnston c Seelaar b Jonkman 10
N Jones not out 5
A Poynter not out 0
Extras (b4 lb7 nb1 w13) 25
Total (for 6 wkts, 50 ovs) 275
Did not bat: A White, A van der Merwe, G Dockrell.
Fall of wickets: 1-82, 2-200, 3-231, 4-246, 5-269, 6-273.
Bowling: M Bukhari 10-1-50-1; A Raja 10-0-51-0; B Kruger 7-0-43-0;
Mauritz Jonkman 6-0-35-2; P Borren 7-0-32-0; P Seelaar 10-0-53-2.

Netherlands
E Szwarczynski b O'Brien 10
T Heggelman c Poynter b O'Brien 2
T Cooper st Wilson b Van der Merwe 68
W Barresi c Cusack b O'Brien 9
B Zuiderent c Poynter b Van der Merwe 16
P Borren c Cusack b A White 7
M Bukhari c Jones b White 29
B Kruger lbw b White 9
P Seelaar not out 34
Mauritz Jonkman c&b White 7
A Raja b Dockrell 6
Extras (lb5, w3) 8
Total (all out, 45.1 ovs) 205
Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-22, 3-66, 4-100, 5-115, 6-123, 7-157, 8-160, 9-177.
Bowling: K O'Brien 8-2-18-3; T Johnston 4-0-20-0; N Jones 2-0-21-0; G Dockrell 6.1-0-31-1; A van der Merwe 7-0-31-2; A White 10-0-44-4; P Stirling 8-0-35-0.
Ireland won by 70 runs.