Ireland quickly wrap up victory

CRICKET INTERCONTINENTAL CUP:THE ANGELUS bells that rang out over Rathmines yesterday were alarmingly mixed in with an air-raid siren of unknown origin.

It could well have been for the Dutch cricket team, who were glad to see the shelter of the Leinster Cricket Club a good 40 minutes before the scheduled lunch interval as Ireland wrapped up a comprehensive victory by an innings and 84 runs in this Intercontinental Cup tie.

The result, which gave Ireland the full 20 points on offer and keeps up their outside hopes of qualifying for a fourth-straight final, was never in doubt after the batting heroics of Andrew White and John Mooney gave the home side a 220-run lead after the first innings.

The Dutch started the morning on 71 for four, only for Allan Eastwood to strike in the second over to remove Nick Statham to a regulation catch from Kevin O’Brien in the slips.

The 6ft 5in opening bowler from Roscrea went on to take two more wickets to complete a very promising debut with five wickets in the match.

Another debutant, Albert van der Merwe, replaced Trent Johnston at the Mount Pleasant end to help wrap up the tail with three wickets for 15 to give the off-spinner six wickets in total as the Dutch were rolled over for 136.

The sides will meet in two one-day internationals on Monday and Wednesday of next week at Castle Avenue in Clontarf, with Nigel Jones and Andrew Poynter coming in, while James Hall steps down to the A team for their trip to Hampshire.

The early result will also prove a boost for today’s NEARfm Twnety20 finals day at the Phoenix Park, with Ireland coach Phil Simmons releasing O’Brien and Mooney to play in this morning’s first semi-final as Railway Union take on North County.

Johnston will not be available for Railway after feeling a bit of tightness in a hamstring and he will rest ahead of Monday’s first ODI.

Today’s proceedings in the Park get under way at 11am, with host club Phoenix taking on Malahide in the second semi-final at 2pm ahead of the final at 5pm.

Meanwhile, the final of the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup between Railway Union and Merrion has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 11th at Balrothery.