India vs Ireland ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Pool B match 34 at Hamilton: Ireland’s innings highlights

India bowled Ireland out for 259 in their ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 clash at Seddon Park, Hamilton. William Porterfield and Niall O’Brien starred with the bat, but India hit back to limit the damage and restrict Ireland for 259. Nishad Pai Vaidya picks some of the key moments of the Ireland innings. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs Ireland in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 at Hamilton

William Porterfield and Paul Stirling attack early: The wicket was good for batting and the Irish batsmen were looking for a good score on this surface. William Porterfield and Paul Stirling set the tone early by playing some amazing strokes. Porterfield pulled a short ball from Umesh Yadav into the stands for a six. Stirling was hit on the helmet but later on, pulled a short-ball for a six. Those shots signalled intent and showed how well the wicket was playing. LIVE CRICKET UPDATES AND COMMENTARY: India vs Ireland in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

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The spinners stem the flow: Ireland had gone on to get 89 in the first 15 overs until Stirling was dismissed. The spinners bowled well in tandem to keep Ireland in check. Porterfield had started well, but slowed down as the spinners hit the right areas. Even the aggressive Niall O’Brien had a tough time starting off. MS Dhoni employed Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma and the slow-medium of Virat Kohli. From Stirling’s dismissal in the 15th over until the 32nd over, when Porterfield was dismissed, Ireland scored only 56 runs.

Niall O’Brien attacks: The second half of O’Brien’s innings was quite a joy to watch. He played with that typical fearlessness and was ready to hit the bowling around. Umesh Yadav was carted for a six over long-on. Another six went through Mohammed Shami’s hands, and into the boundary. Then, there was one against Ashwin, which went over long-on. O’Brien was the key to take Ireland past 300, but his dismissal put paid to those hopes Ireland had to settle for 259 on a good batting wicket. IND vs IRE: Niall O’Brien dismissed for 75 by Mohammed Shami

The collapse: O’Brien and Andy Balbirnie had taken Ireland past 200 and they were sailing well in the 39th over. Ireland had lost Balbirnie when they were 206 for four in the 39th. With Kevin O’Brien walking in, they had a good chance of putting on over 300. However, a collapse ensured as they lost a total of six wickets in the space of about 32 runs. Ireland set 260-run target against India in ICC Cricket World Cup Pool B match at Hamilton

(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45)