There was to be no repeat of last year's famous Benson and Hedges victory at Clontarf; but Ireland made Middlesex battle hard for a six wicket win yesterday at Lords.
When Mark Ramprakash smashed the winning boundary, Middlesex had only two overs to spare and with the rub of the green, a fine performance by Ireland could have taken their hosts even closer to the wire.
Ireland won the toss, and a total of 196 for seven would have been higher had key batsmen Neil Johnson and Ed Joyce faced more than nine balls between them.
Openers Jason Molins and Kyle McCallan set off at a decent canter this time, and had laid a solid foundation by the time Molins played back and lost his off stump.
McCallan will probably tell his grandchildren about lifting a delivery from Fraser over extra cover and into the Mound stand, without finding it necessary to add that it was off Alistair, the younger brother of England war-horse Angus.
When Fraser gained his revenge and had McCallan caught at midon, the Irish innings lost its way. Johnson departed to a diving slip catch next ball and Joyce, who will again spend time with Middlesex this summer, was needlessly run out for six.
Captain Angus Dunlop insured Middlesex would have a target, hitting 59 not out from 66 balls, including a couple of sixes that cleared the boundary so far they bordered on showing off.
Apart from an early setback, when Australian Test batsmen Justin Langer was bowled by Gordon Cooke, Middlesex were under no pressure as they eased passed 100 for the further loss of Richard Johnson.
But then Matt Dwyer hurled onto a return catch from Keith Brown and the professional's smooth drive to victory stalled with only 31 runs coming in 14 overs, as the left arm spinner applied a canny brake.
