Published: Jan 12, 2015, 03:02 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 31, 2016, 12:06 PM (IST)
Jan 12, 2015
Ireland got over the line to beat Scotland by three wickets in Match three of the Dubai Triangular series. Niall o’Brien was key to Ireland’s run chase and he didn’t disappoint finishing on an unbeaten 80. Niall o’Brien was helped along by useful contributions from First Andy Balbirnie and then John Mooney. Scotland put in a spirited performance with the ball but it wasn’t to be enough. By virtue of another three wicket win, Ireland have won both their matches in the tri-nation tournament so far, where as Scotland have lost both theirs.
Scotland are on top in match three of the Dubai Triangular series as wickets continue to tumble for Ireland. Iain Wardlaw and Rob Taylor wrecked havoc early into the Irish innings picking up three wickets with next to nothing on the board and the wicket of Gary Wilson left the game tantalisingly poised and in the balance. Michael Leask accounted for Wilson’s wicket. Kevin o’Brien followed suit to become Richie Berrington’s first wicket of the innings to give Scotland the upper hand even as Niall o’Brien fights it out in the middle. Andy Balbirnie has joined him in the middle. Ireland are making a complete hash of what should have been a comfortable run chase.
Ireland have made a habit of digging a hole for themselves early as yet again they lost two wickets before their total reached double figures. William Porterfield failed again, while Ed Joyce also failed to replicate heroics of the previous game. Since the fall of the two wickets Paul Stirling has taken the attack to Scotland, giving him company is Niall o’Brien. The Irish have lost two wickets but they are rollicking along.
Matt Machan ensured Scotland surpassed the 200-run mark in match three of the Dubai Triangular series. He scored his second half century, eventually finishing with 86 giving Scotland something to bowl at. He was ably supported by the number seven and eight batsmen Rob Taylor and Michael Leask who scored 17 and 16 crucial runs respectively. Machan’s was the ninth wicket to fall, but the last wicket pair batted out the fifty overs to help Scotland post 216 for nine in fifty overs.
Scotland have been pegged back again after a loss of two crucial wickets in quick succession. After a partnership of 65 for the fifth wicket between Mat Machan and Richie Berrington, the latter was dismissed for 28 against the run of play. He was Alex Cusack’s first victim for the innings. The untimely run out of Mathew Cross that followed saw Ireland assume a position of total command. Mat Machan meanwhile has brought up his second ODI half century, holding fort for Scotland.
Ireland won the toss and elected to bowl against Scotland in match three of the Dubai Triangular series also featuring Afghanistan. The decision of William Porterfield paid dividends immediately as Craig Young struck on just the fourth delivery of the very first over. The decision to bowl by Ireland suggests that the the team bowling second may have dew to contend with in the evening and that Ireland beat Afghanistan chasing in Match two may have influenced the decision to an extent.
Ireland vs Scotland, will play each other in the European derby of the Dubai tri-series. This is the hird game of a series, what is turning out to be a highly exciting one. Having suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Afghanistan, Scotland will look to bounce back in this game. Ireland will carry momentum into this game after edging out Afghanistan by three wickets in the previous One-Day International (ODI). Read PREVIEW of the match here
Ireland have enough depth in their batting and have quality bowlers to bowl the opposition out. Scotland, however, can take refuge in the fact that they actually edged Ireland out in the final ODI of the three match bilateral series in September, which saw Ireland’s International One-Day Ranking take a beating. The toss is going to be crucial as the dew will play a major role later in the game.
Ireland go into the third match of the Dubai Triangular series as overwhelming favourites considering their experience in the subcontinent and their slow bowling resources. The likes of George Dockrell should come into their own on the slow-low surfaces in UAE. In fact Dockrell was instrumental in Ireland’s triumph over Afghanistan in Match two where he picked up four crucial wickets that helped the Irish restrict Afghanistan to a moderate total.
Squads:
Ireland: William Porterfield (c), Andy Balbirnie Peter Chase, Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, Ed Joyce , Andy McBrine, John Mooney, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson, Craig Young
Scotland: Preston Mommsen (c), Kyle Coetzer, Richie Berrington, Freddie Coleman, Matthew Cross, Josh Davey, Alasdair Evans, Hamish Gardiner, Majid Haq , Michael Leask, Matt Machan, Calum MacLeod, Gavin Main, Safyaan Sharif, Rob Taylor, Iain Wardlaw
