Hamilton's heroics help pile misery on Ireland

CRICKETIRELAND'S NIGHTMARE on Mannonfield continued yesterday as Scotland secured a five-wicket Tri-Nations victory over Phil Simmons's side.

Eerily, the record ODI loss to New Zealand on Tuesday was Ireland's 666th international match, and, although yesterday's loss wasn't as gory, it will haunt them even more than the 290-run reversal against the Black Caps.

After winning the toss and batting it needed some late-order hitting to help Ireland post 210 off their 50 overs, well short of par on a good batting track. Ireland's bowlers toiled as Gavin Hamilton gave the local crowd a reminder of his class in scoring his first One Day International century.

The 33-year-old left-hander finally went in the 48th over for 115, with his side just three short of victory. It was left to Richie Berrington to wrap it up with the first ball he faced, levelling the ODI rubber at 2-2 between the sides.

Ireland's hangover from Tuesday's game continued in the morning as Deward Nel ripped through the top order, removing Reinhardt Strydom, Paul Stirling and Andre Botha to reduce the visitors to 45 for three in the 16th over.

Gary Wilson looked composed in his makeshift opening slot and had moved on to 39 before Gordon Goudie had him caught behind by Smith. His departure brought Ryan Haire to the wicket, a man with a point to prove against Scotland.

Eight years ago the North Down batsman bagged a pair in a three-day game at Ayr and had to wait 128 matches to get a look in again when he made his ODI debut against New Zealand on Tuesday. The 27-year-old made just two in that game, but played his natural attacking style yesterday to score a first international half-century, his 54 coming off 63 balls and including seven fours and the game's only six. He shared a 66-run stand with Andy White, who went for 34 to a stunning one-handed boundary catch from Hamilton, while Kyle McCallan put his side past the 200 mark with a quick-fire 39 from 38 deliveries.

Meanwhile, Younus Khan hit a century as Pakistan achieved a much needed eight-wicket win against India in the Asia Cup Super League yesterday. Younus boosted Pakistan's quest with an unbeaten knock of 123 off 117 balls to help his side overhaul India's total of 308-7.

IRELAND (Squad for Intercontinental Cup game v Netherlands, July 9th-12th, Rotterdam):K McCallan (Waringstown, capt), A Botha (North County), P Connell (North Down), P Eaglestone (Strabane), T Fourie (Railway Union), R Haire (North Down), G Kidd (Waringstown), A Poynter (Clontarf), P Stirling (Cliftonville), R Strydom (North County), G Thompson (Lisburn), A White (Instonians), G Wilson (Surrey, wkts).

Scoreboard Ireland won toss and batted

IRELAND

G Wilson c Smith b Goudie.................. 39

R Strydom c Smith b Nel ..................... 11

P Stirling c Berrington b Nel ................4

A Botha c Smith b Nel .............................1

A White c Hamilton b Blain ................34

R Haire c Berrington b Goudie ...........54

A Poynter c Smith b Blain .....................1

K McCallan b Nel ...................................39

T Fourie not out ......................................19 Extras (b1, lb2, w5) ...................................8

Total (for 8 wkts, 50 ovs) ,,,,.........,,,,,,210

DNB: G Kidd, P Connell

Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-33, 3-45, 4-65, 5-131, 6-146, 7-153

Bowling: J Blain 10-2-29-2; D Nel 9-4-25-4; G Goudie 10-1-43-2; G Rogers 10-0-49-0; R Berrington 4-0-28-0; R Watson 7-0-33-0.

SCOTLAND

G Hamilton c Haire b White ...............115

R Watson c McCallan b Fourie .............0

Q Sheikh c Kidd b McCallan ................23

C Smith c Wilson b Botha ....................59

F Watts st Wilson b White .....................0

N McCallum not out ................................0

R Berrington not out ...............................3 Extras (lb6, nb1, w4) ................................11

Total (for 5 wkts, 47.3 ovs)211

DNB: J Blain, G Rogers, G Goudie, D Nel Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-76, 3-198, 4-199, 5-208

Bowling: P Connell 7-0-37-0; T Fourie 6-0-33-1; A Botha 10-0-41-1; K McCallan 10-1-33-1; G Kidd 10-0-44-0; A White 4.3-0-17-2.

l Scotland won by 5 wickets.