Ireland take control against the Netherlands

Ireland are firmly on course to claim a place in a fourth Intercontinental Cup final after taking control of their match against the Netherlands on day two in Deventer.

After making 332 in their first innings on Monday, Ireland’s bowlers took just two sessions to bowl out their hosts for just 148 today.

All six Irish bowlers took wickets, with left-arm spinner George Dockrell taking advantage of a turning pitch to claim three for 32, including key Dutch batsman Tom Cooper for 51.

The Australian-born player was last man out, thanks to a fine stumping from wicket-keeper Stuart Poynter, to leave the Dutch still trailing by 187 runs and handing Ireland the six bonus points on offer for a first-innings lead.

Ireland captain Kevin O’Brien decided against enforcing the follow-on, mindful of the dangers of batting last on a pitch offering help to the Netherlands’ spin-heavy attack.

His call seemed to be backed up as Ireland lost four wickets before the close for the addition of 68 runs to extend their lead to 252, with slow bowlers taking three of those to fall.

Their lead may be enough already, but another good session from the Ireland batsmen on Wednesday morning will take away any hope for the home side.

SCORECARD
Day 2 of 4 - Overnight: Ireland 1st inn 332
THE NETHERLANDS - First Innings
E Szwarczynski c&b Mooney 20
L Stokkers c Balbirnie b Mooney 13
J Gruijters c Anderson b Johnston 0
T Cooper st Poynter b Dockrell 51
W Barresi c Poynter b Thompson 1
P Borren c Balbirnie b Dockrell 13
T Gruijters c O'Brien b Balbirnie 6
P Seelaar b Dockrell 19
Q Gunning b Sorensen 0
S Braat c Poynter b Sorensen 4
D Doram not out 6
Extras (b9, lb6) 15
Total (all out, 60.2 ovs) 148
Fall of wickets: 1-31, 2-36, 3-38, 4-41, 5-58, 6-88, 7-126, 8-131, 9-135.
Bowling: M Sorensen 15-1-33-2; T Johnston 10-4-20-1; Mooney 6-1-5-2; Thompson 10-3-23-1; Dockrell 15.2-6-32-3; Balbirnie 4-1-20-1.
IRELAND - Second Innings
A Balbirnie c Borren b Gunning 1
J Anderson b Seelaar 18
J Shannon J Gruijters b Doram 31
A White not out6
K O'Brien c Barresi b Seelaar 4
S Poynter not out4
Extras (b4) 4
Total (for 4 wkts, 35 ovs)68
Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-52, 3-54, 4-61.
Bowling: S Braat 8-1-13-0; Q Gunning 7-23-15-1; P Borren 5-1-6-0; D Doram 10-1-21-1; P Seelaar 5-1-9-2.