Published: Jan 12, 2015, 07:06 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 12, 2015, 07:25 PM (IST)
Jan 12, 2015
Ireland restricted Scotland to a modest 216 for nine in the third match of the Dubai triangular series. The Scotland innings remained in the first gear for majority of their stipulated fifty overs. Young Craig Young was the pick of the Irish bowlers with impressive figures of three for 27. Matt Machan top scored with 86 for Scotland.
Ireland’s decision to bowl paid dividends immediately as Craig Young sent Calum Macleod packing on the fourth ball of the very first over for a duck. He then struck in his second over, sending Kyle Coetzer back to the hut with just 11 runs on the board. By the fourth over Scotland were losing wickets left right and center as John Mooney joined the fun with the wicket of the in form Hamish Gardiner for five to leave Ireland reeling at 17 for three. A Partnership of 28 between Mat Machan and Preston Mommsen steadied the stuttering innings momentarily before Craig Young sprung into action again to dismiss Mommsen caught by Gary Wilson for 16.
Richie Berrington was the next man in. Machan and Berrington then went on to share what was to be the highest partnership of their innings. The pair added 65 runs which was worth a lot more in the context of the match. But back to back wickets of Berrington and Mathew Cross pegged Scotland back again. Berrington was Alex Cusack’s first wicket in the innings, while Cross was run out for one. Amidst the Chaos Mat Machan brought up only his second ODI half century. Rob Taylor and Michael Leask provided brief resistance, scoring 17 and 16 respectively, playing a supporting role to Matt Machan who was inching towards a hundred. Subsequent to the loss of wicket number seven and eight Machan put his foot on the accelerator. He was finally dismissed for a well constructed 86 and was instrumental in Scotland surpassing the 200-run mark. They eventually finished with 216 for nine in fifty overs.
Earlier Ireland inserted Scotland into bat. 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.
Brief scores:
Scotland 216 for 9 in 50 overs ( Matt Machan 86; Craig Young 3 for 27) vs Ireland
