Crowd run for cover as Stirling lets loose

CRICKET ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL:IRELAND COMPLETED an emphatic nine-wicket victory over the Netherlands yesterday to cement their standing as the 10th best side in world one-day cricket and continue a winning run that now stretches back over two years, and 19 games, since Phil Simmons's side last lost an ODI to a fellow Associate team.

After winning the toss and batting, the visitors were bowled out for just 125 against a very disciplined Irish attack before the runs were knocked off in just 20.3 overs, thanks in the main to a cracking knock of 62 in just 36 balls from opener Paul Stirling.

The 19-year-old Middlesex player had the crowd running for cover as he clobbered five sixes in seven deliveries, four of those coming in spinner Adeel Raja’s first, and only, over as he was dispatched for 26 runs.

Many in the ground were also here in 1993 when Australian captain Allan Border hit five sixes in an over against Ireland, but were hard-pressed to think of more runs ever coming from an Irish over.

Maurits Jonkman replaced Raja from the City end of the ground and ended Stirling’s swashbuckling stay at the wicket when he trapped him leg-before for 62 out of an 85-run opening partnership with Gary Wilson.

Stirling left the field to rousing applause with the spectators giving their appreciation to a young cricketer who likes to entertain while dismantling opposition bowling attacks.

It’s something that has been recognised in the global game, with Stirling named yesterday on the long-list for the ICC Emerging Player of the Year award alongside the likes of former Ireland star Eoin Morgan and Pakistan’s outstanding young bowler Mohammed Aamer.

Wilson, who scored his maiden ODI century in Monday’s victory over the Dutch, got in on the act when he hoisted Pieter Seelar to the sight screen for another maximum as he and Alex Cusack got Ireland home with the minimum of fuss. The pair put on an 44 runs, with Wilson finishing unbeaten on 48 from 53 balls and Cusack 15 not out.

Earlier Ireland skipper Trent Johnston had removed the Dutch openers with 19 runs on the board, while Nigel Jones struck twice in his first over to leave them on 40 for four.

The scoreboard hadn’t moved on when John Mooney hit gold with his fourth delivery to dismiss danger man Tom Cooper for 25 to a fine catch by Wilson standing up to the stumps. That would end any chance the Dutch had of posting a decent score, with Seelaar’s knock of 34 at least saving them the ignominy of being bowled out for less than 100.

Simmons was delighted with his side’s performances against the Dutch over the past week ahead of their upcoming tour to Canada.

“The guys played really well today, the bowling and fielding were exceptional and everything just came together. And when Paul bats like that it’s hard to stop him,” said Simmons, who believes the continued dominance of his side over fellow Associate countries is vital to further Ireland’s case for more fixtures against the big boys.

“It’s a big thing for us, we have to make sure at this level that we are seen to be the pace-setters, the ones that are showing what’s to be done. What we are trying to do is use what we do against the top teams against the sides at this level and it’s showing,” he added.