CRICKET: Ireland's Inter-Continental Cup Title hopes very much alive

Ireland's Inter- Continental Cup ho0pes are very much alive after a comprehensive innings and 67 runs victory over the Netherlands in a rain interrupted match in Rotterdam.

Ireland's victory was spearheaded by a wonderful innings of 172 by Andre Botha, ably supported by Kevin O'Brien's 79 and Andrew Poynter's 76 n.o. A fantastic 10 wicket haul by debutant Peter O'Connell, including a second innings hat-trick, ensured Ireland's victory and a maximum haul of 20 points.

O'Connell hat-trick was only the 16th bowler in first-class history to make a hat-trick on his debut. O'Connell's bowling was well supported by Cusack, McCallan , Fourie and Botha. Botha's all-round performance ensured him the man of the match award.

Ireland is now in a strong position to win the Inter-Continental Cup for the third time in-a- row. With this victory Ireland leap- frogged Kenya into second place and now lie 13 points adrift of leader Namibia, with one game in hand.

The win is a moral boost for the Irish ahead of the European Championships and the Twenty/20 World Cup qualifiers in the coming weeks.

For further information: www.irishcricket.org