CRICKET NEWS:IRELAND'S CHANCES of picking up a much-needed 20 points from their Intercontinental Cup clash came unstuck here yesterday as Afghanistan's batsmen proved as hard to break down as the dramatic rocky outcrops that pop up all over this corner of Sri Lanka.
On another steaming day, Ireland broiled and toiled with the ball only for Afghanistan’s batsmen to come out on top as they avoided the follow-on, closing on 263 for three. That left them 142 runs adrift of Ireland’s first innings of 405 and still with hopes of claiming the six points on offer for a lead after the first dig.
With the game looking all over a draw because of the placid nature of the pitch, it would be a result that could derail Ireland’s hopes of claiming a fourth-straight title in the competition after earlier draws against Kenya and Scotland.
Ireland captain William Porterfield has marked this morning’s session down as key if Ireland are to claim the win, or at least the bonus points, and has backed his bowlers to make amends after Afghanistan’s batsmen gave them the runaround yesterday.
“We did well to reach 400 and maybe were slightly rusty with the ball,” said Porterfield, referring to a late push by the batsmen in the morning thanks to an Irish I Cup record 10th-wicket stand of 66 from John Mooney (58 not out) and Peter Connell (18). As much as it buoyed Ireland’s score, it also pointed to the fact there were no demons in the pitch, with three Afghanistan batsmen recorded half-centuries to make it seven in the match.
“It’s pretty hard to get wickets but it wasn’t for the want of trying and it didn’t take as much spin as we thought there might have been,” added Porterfield. “We’re behind the game but it is only six overs to the new ball which is crucial. We’re still optimistic.”
Ireland used eight bowlers yesterday, with Gary Kidd, Peter Connell and Andre Botha taking the wickets. But what Porterfield would have given to be able to throw the ball to the injured Boyd Rankin or Regan West, or the retired Kyle McCallan. Yet he was quick to play down his lack of a serious cutting edge with the ball and believes Ireland have the firepower to force a result. “I have plenty of options. I was happy with the way I used my bowlers today.”
Meanwhile, Irish women’s cricket has been given a tremendous boost with the news they are to face double world champions England this summer. Paul Delany’s side have been invited to participate in a quadrangular tournament that also includes New Zealand and the MCC, with the English venue still to be decided.
SCORECARD
Intercontinental Cup (At Dambulla, Sri Lanka). Day 2 of 4. Overnight: Ireland 324-7 (98 ovs) (W Porterfield 78, N O’Brien 66, G Wilson 53, A White 43, A Cusack 39; S Shenwari 3-55, H Hasan 2-77).
IRELAND:First innings
J Mooney not out 58
T Johnston lbw b Hassan 2
G Kidd c Shehzad b Hassan 4
P Connell b Zadran 18
Extras (13lb 2w 13nb) 28
Total (all out, 118 ovs) 405
Fall of wickets:1-120, 2-170, 3-203, 4-203, 5-221, 6-316, 7-323, 8-328, 9-339.
Bowling:D Ahmadzai 11-2-32-0; S Zadran 10-1-33-1; H Hasan 24-4-91-3; N Ali 2-0-21-0; M Nabi 27-3-102-1; S Shenwari 27-5-75-4; K Sadiq 15-5-31-1; N Mangal 2-0-7-0.
AFGHANISTAN:First innings
K Sadiq b Kidd 19
N Ali c N O’Brien b Connell 53
S Noori not out 44
N Mangal c N O’Brien b Botha 84
M Shahzad not out 60
Extras (1lb 2nb) 3
Total (for 3 wkts, 74 overs) 263
Fall of wickets:1-72, 2-74, 3-178.
To bat:M Nabi, A Stanikzai, D Ahmadzai, S Shenwari, H Hasan, S Zadran.
Bowling:P Connell 12-6-24-1; T Johnston 14-3-58-0; A Cusack 7-1-37-0; G Kidd 17-8-45-1; J Mooney 4-0-22-0; A White 11-2-46-0; A Botha 6-3-14-1; K O'Brien 3-1-16-0.
