Ireland chase world points

CRICKET:AFTER a comprehensive victory over the Netherlands in last week's four-day Intercontinental Cup clash, Phil Simmons's side now go in chase of valuable world ranking points in two One-Day Internationals this week.

The first gets under way at Castle Avenue this morning (10.45am) with the second on Wednesday at the same venue and Ireland will be chasing two victories that would bring them above Zimbabwe in to 10th place in the ICC one-day standings.

The Dutch are boosted by the inclusion of four players not involved in the innings and 84 run defeat at Rathmines, with Australian-born batsman Tom Cooper set to bolster a top-order that failed to fire last week.

Cooper (23), was born in the Sydney suburb of Wollongong, the birthplace of Irish captain Trent Johnston, and has impressed in his eight ODIs, averaging 70 with a century and four half-centuries.

Also coming into the Dutch squad are all-rounders Mudassar Bukhari and Bradley Kruger and batsman Bas Zuiderent.

All-rounder Nigel Jones comes back into the Ireland squad, while Andrew Poynter replaces James Hall after recovering from a shoulder injury.

After picking up five wickets on his debut last week, Pembroke opening bowler Allan Eastwood is retained for the two games.

One player who can do no wrong at the moment is John Mooney, who followed his maiden century for Ireland last Thursday by starring with bat and ball as North County won the NEARfm Twenty20 final at the Phoenix Park on Saturday.

Mooney hit 35 and took three wickets for 12 in the six-wicket victory over Railway Union in the semi-final. He top-scored for his side again in the final against Fingal rivals Malahide, a knock of 33 helping County make 133 for eight, with other valuable contributions coming from Ciarán Garry (29) and Conor Armstrong (27).

In replay Malahide were bowled out for 104 with Richie Lawrence (3 for 11), Mooney (3 for 20) and James Boyland (2 for 26) wrapping up a 29-run victory.

County’s hopes of winning the Division One title were given a big boost yesterday as Leinster beat second-placed side The Hills by seven wickets thanks to an unbeaten 192-run stand between Carlos Brathwaite (106no) and JP O’Dwyer (73no).