A satisfactory display by Ireland in the field (Glamorgan won the toss and batted first) in yesterday's Benson & Hedges Cup match at Castle Avenue was not matched by similar elan with the bat. And a 115-run defeat, though by no means embarrassing, looked inevitable as soon as Ireland's Ryan Eagleson was leg before to Steve Watkin in the second over with only six runs accumulated.
Notions that Ireland's latest overseas import, Neil Johnson, would do a Hansie Cronje were quickly dispelled when Waqar Younis removed him for four runs in the ninth over, leaving the Irish teetering on 32 for four. Admittedly, Johnson had returned good bowling figures with two for 40 off his 10 overs although Matt Dwyer, winning his first Ireland cap at a sprightly 39 years, achieved exactly the same analysis.
Robert Croft (67), Tony Cottey (54) and Waqar Younis (33) were Glamorgan's chief run-stealers yesterday, while the enthusiastic Gordon Cooke took another brace of wickets - two for 33 off seven overs - for Ireland.
Jason Molins also did well in the field, holding three good catches, to help dismiss Adrian Dale, Darren Thomas and Waqar Younis. To contain Glamorgan to a total of 230 runs for nine off the 50 overs was an achievement, but yesterday, there endeth the good news for Ireland.
After the rapid departure of Eagleson, Andy Patterson, Molins and Johnson, Ed Joyce and Angus Dunlop put on a brave and facesaving 54 for the fifth wicket. Joyce top-scored for Ireland with 28, Dunlop made 26, and the only other batsmen to reach double figures were Molins with 14 and Cooke with 11.
Croft, with two for 16 off 10 overs, was most impressive, while Dale and Dean Cosker also picked up a couple of wickets each.
Owen Butler (Old Belvedere) has shin trouble and is ruled out of next week's away Benson & Hedges matches against Essex and Middlesex. His place has gone to Gary Neely (Donemana).
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