Ireland hopes dashed early as Australia take control

CRICKET UNDER-19 WORLD CUP:IRELAND'S UNDER-19 cricketers went down to a 209-run defeat against Australia in their second Group B game at the World Cup in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Ireland put Australia in to bat after winning the toss, but any hope of the pitch offering early assistance were undone as opening batsman Tom Beaton teed off to hit 53 runs from just 45 balls before being stumped off the first delivery from left-arm spinner George Dockrell.

Clontarf’s Jordan Coghlan, who came in to the side in place of Shane Getkate, took the wicket of Nic Maddison in a six-over spell that drew praise from former Australian all-rounder Greg Chappell.

Coghlan and Dockrell helped reduce Australia to 114 for four, which should have become 115 for five one ball later only for a fumbled return by Dockrell to allow Tim Armstrong to scramble home.

Armstrong made the most of that reprieve, and together with Alex Keath, they proceeded to take the game away from Ireland. They more than doubled the score, adding 115 in 22.2 overs. Keath top-scored with 88, while Armstrong finished on an unbeaten 73 as they closed on 274 for five from their 50 overs.

Due to the speed with which they got through their overs, Ireland were faced with a tricky 30-minutes before lunch, and they were dealt two crushing blows. First skipper Andrew Balbirnie was trapped lbw by Kane Richardson and the next delivery saw Paul Stirling chop on and Ireland were reeling at eight for two. They negotiated the rest of the session to finish on 25 for two.

The mini recovery continued after lunch, advancing to 40 before the introduction of Nick Buchanan, son of former Australia coach John. The paceman tore apart the Irish middle order, taking four for 16.

Stuart Thompson (19) and Ben Ackland (11), were the only players to reach double figures, as they were dismissed for 65 in 24.2 overs.

Ireland face the USA in their final group game tomorrow. Batsman James Shannon faces a race against time to be fit for that game after injuring an ankle.

At Queenstown, New Zealand.

Ireland won the toss and fielded.

AUSTRALIA

N Maddison b Coghlan 14

T Beaton st Poynter b Dockrell 53

A Keath c Stirling b Coghlan 88

M Marsh c Balbirnie b Dockrell 0

J Floros run out 17

T Armstrong not out 73

K Richardson not out 24

Extras (w5) 5

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Total (for 5 wkts, 50 ovs) 274

Did not bat: T Triffitt, N Buchanan, J Hazlewood, L Doran.

Fall: 1-52, 2-69, 3-76, 4-114, 5-229.

Bowling: C Young 8-0-54-0; J Coghlan 10-0-62-2; G Dockrell 9-1-38-2; S Thompson 5-0-22-0; A Balbirnie 10-0-52-0; P Stirling 8-0-46-0.

IRELAND

A Balbirnie lbw b Richardson 7

S Thompson b Richardson 19

P Stirling b Richardson 0

B Ackland c Floros b Buchanan 11

L Nelson b Buchanan 1

G McDonnell lbw b Buchanan 0

A D’Arcy c Hazelwood b Doran 5

S Poynter lbw b Buchanan 4

G Dockrell c Buchanan b Armstrong 7

J Coglan b Armstrong 2

C Young not out 0

Extras (lb3, nb1, w5) 9

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Total (all out, 24.2 ovs) 65

Fall: 1-8, 2-8, 4-41, 4-42, 5-43, 6-45, 7-53, 8-57, 9-63.

Bowling: J Hazelwood 4-0-11-0; K Richardson 7-0-23-3; L Doran 5-2-6-1; N Buchanan 6-1-16-4; T Armstrong 2.2-1-6-2.

Ireland lost by 209 runs.