Ireland have edge with Scots on go-slow

CRICKET/Intercontinental Cup:An attritional day's cricket here yesterday saw Ireland seize the initiative over arch-rivals Scotland in the ICC Intercontinental Cup.

Having won the toss, the visitors made glacial progress toward 183 for 7 off 101 overs, batting at a run rate that only rarely moved above two an over. The Scotland team was shorn of several players due to work commitments. As a result, the wickets of Ryan Watson and Gavin Hamilton were lent a greater value. When both went, either side of lunch, the home team were encouraged to step up their efforts, leading to further entrenched batting throughout the afternoon. At no point did Scotland throw off the shackles, and were tied down first by Andre Botha, who bowled four maidens in his first six overs, and then Trent Johnston and Kevin O'Brien.

Johnston, bowling with customary hostility, finished the day with 3 for 27 off his 21 overs. He had Watson caught at long leg off a short ball that was on the batsman quicker than anticipated.

Clontarf's Alex Cusack was the fielder, holding on to a good catch in the Australian style, fingers pointing toward the sky, ending Watson's innings of nine from 48 balls.

This was followed by another good ball from the captain, this time to extract the barnacle-like Knox, whose 15 runs took 110 balls to compile.

Former England international Hamilton was perhaps unfortunate to be given out lbw to a ball from Kevin O'Brien. The left-handed batsman stretched as far forward as it was possible to go without falling over, a position he held for a long time after being given out. He was still there as the Ireland players congregated around O'Brien a few feet away.

The Railway Union all rounder bowled well, with figures of 2 for 23 off his12 overs.

The afternoon session was enlivened by the introduction of 19-year-old leg spinner Greg Thompson, selected ahead of Thinus Fourie.

Success came in the Lisburn man's second over, when he had Berrington caught behind by wicketkeeper O'Brien, a spinning leg break that pitched on a good length and bit on the grassy Stormont wicket.

He followed this by bowling the dangerous McCallum for 36, fully justifying the faith of coach Phil Simmons who chose to go in the game with three spinners.

Called back to bowl the final over of the day, Thompson conceded 12, by far the most expensive, and slightly spoiling his exceptional figures. He ended the day at 2 for 48 off his 20 overs.

From this position, Ireland's batsmen have as much time as they need to build a large lead.

Their game plan will be to bat just once in this game.

Both teams wore black armbands in memory of Bill McCarroll, general secretary of the Northern Cricket Union for 22 years, who passed away on Monday.