CRICKET Ireland reach World Cup Finals

Ireland secured their place in the 2011 World Cup finals with a thumping six wicket win over The Netherlands in Pretoria.

The win was based around a second wicket stand of 117 between skipper William Porterfield (78) and Eoin Morgan (76) in just 105 balls against a toothless Dutch attack, who appeared to have accepted their fate long before the final curtain fell.

Porterfield pipped Morgan for the Man of the Match, a decision which surprised many, but in the great scheme of things mattered little to either. Morgan scored his runs off just 62 balls, hitting 5 fours and 2 sixes, and looked in imperious touch from the outset. He had one stroke of fortune on 39, being caught by Schiferli on the midwicket boundary off Seelaar, but Schiferli's momentum took him over the boundary rope.

Porterfield was a little more circumspect, hitting 7 boundaries in his 105 ball score of 78. The Gloucestershire opener has been nothing short of a revelation in this tournament, breaking the shackles and his reputation of something of a plodding accumulator. His new aggressive approach has certainly paid dividends, and his 390 runs at 48.75 places him in second place in the run aggregates.

Neither went on to record hundreds, Morgan falling to a splendid diving catch by Schiferli, atoning for his earlier indiscretion, while Porterfield was run out following a mix up with Niall O'Brien.Gary Wilson (21) had shared in an opening stand of 60 in 15.1 overs with Porterfield, before edging Borren's first delivery behind to Smits. The other wicket to fall was Niall O'Brien (10), bowled by the impressive Schiferli with victory in sight.

Kevin O'Brien (13*), and Andrew White (14*) got the Irish safely home with 33 balls to spare.Earlier, Netherlands had scored a well below par 222 on what was a superb batting track. That was primarily due to a fine 77 from Alexei Kervezee, made form 112 balls, and which contained 6 fours and 2 sixes. Other contributors of note were Bas Zuiderent (27), and Peter Borren and Tom de Grooth, both of whom made 24.

Once again the Irish opening attack impressed, with Peter Connell conceding just 5 runs in his first 6 over spell, while picking up the wicket of Szwarczynski. Boyd Rankin removed the pinch hitter Bukhari, and came back at the death to bowl Schiferli and de Grooth, to finiah with figures of 3 for 48.

However the most impressive bowler on display was Alex Cusack, who despite an ankle injury returned figures of 3 for 26, stemming the Dutch charge in the vital final power play.

Speaking after the win, Eoin Morgan played down thoughts that he had his sights on a century, saying: "It was more about winning the game and World Cup qualification, rather than a personal target. We're through to the final again which is obviously great news."

Morgan confirmed that he would be departing the squad now that qualification was secured. "Obviously that was the agreement I had, so I'm leaving Saturday and will miss the final. I'm available for the game on Friday with Kenya and will play if selected."

Morgan paid tribute to the track at Pretoria, and a fine all-round team performance: "It was a great wicket to bat on. Obviously there was a bit of dew early on and our bowlers exploited it. It was good to capitalise on the conditions, and of course when we batted we were pretty professional. Our top order has been in good form throughout the tournament, and they were never really in with a chance of defending 222."

And what of Morgan's own innings - a blistering 76 from just 62 balls. "I felt good today and wanted to make a bit of a statement. I enjoy playing with Ireland and I'm proud to have helped them reach another World Cup finals. We've dominated everyone so far except for one game where the wicket dictated the outcome, and we're looking to win the trophy and show everyone we are the quality side that we are."

Ireland's opponents in Sunday's final remains to be decided, with the other three qualification spots still very much in the balance. Defending champions Scotland are languishing miserably at the foot of the table, with not only their World Cup participation in jeopardy, but also their One Day International status.