CRICKET:IT WAS a measure of the meek challenge put up by Canada in this Intercontinental Cup match over its two-day duration that the moment of most concern for Ireland came in an unscheduled meeting between two of their players while going for the same ball.

Ireland completed their second 20-point victory inside six days to go top of the table with an innings and 11-run annihilation, with off-spinner Albert van der Merwe completing a fine day’s work in earning career-best first-class figures of eight for 131 on a day when 23 wickets fell in total.

Rizwan Cheema’s knock of 97 from 45 balls gave the afternoon crowd some entertainment to go with the late summer sunshine, a change in mood from their concern earlier in the day when Paul Stirling and skipper Kevin O’Brien crashed into each other after colliding while attempting to catch Amarbir Hansra off a top edge. After treatment from Kieran O’Reilly and Brendan Connor they both made their way gingerly off the pitch.

A collision more in keeping with the nearby RDS could have had nightmare consequences ahead of the important ODI, and now World Cup qualifying, matches against the Canadians next week, but a bloody toe, bruised shoulder and a few scratches for O’Brien and a stiff neck for Stirling added up to a good result in the circumstances.

The players of course will have an extra two days off to tend to the bumps and bruises ahead of next Monday’s opening game between the sides in Clontarf, with all-rounder Trent Johnston also receiving on-going treatment on his knee injury as he attempts to prove his fitness. The other thing Ireland will bring from this victory was that although Canada showed little application for the four-day game, they do have some serious stroke-makers more suited to one-day cricket.

Coach Phil Simmons will also have been delighted with the performance of YMCA’s Van der Merwe on his first appearance of the season, his patience rewarded with a fine performance that saw him record his second five-wicket haul against Canada in just over a year.

Ireland lost their last three wickets in 40 minutes in the morning to make 462 and grabbed two Canadian wickets before lunch. Van der Merwe, in tandem with George Dockrell, went to work after lunch taking seven wickets between them, while John Mooney also took two as Canada were skittled before tea for 194.

Enforcing the follow-on, Canada looked like they were warming up for next week with Cheema’s 97 including six fours, 10 sixes, one dented silver saloon and a few cracked slates on Mount Pleasant Avenue.

After taking the extra half-hour to finish the game, Van der Merwe was on course for a 10-wicket haul, only for local lad Dockrell to finish the game off with two wickets in two balls as Canada made 257 second time around.

Forgetting his sore toe, O’Brien ran out to greet his players after watching from the sideline and admitted the result leaves Ireland in good stead ahead of next week’s games. “To take 18 wickets in two sessions to win a match in two days is fantastic. I’m sure when we get back together on Sunday for training we’ll have our one-day heads on and obviously the guys will be flying in from England on Saturday, so it’s going to be a new-look squad as such. We obviously know how big the games are now to get that automatic qualification so we’ll be raring to go.”