Ireland close in on win over Scotland

September 13th 2013 by Cricket Ireland |

John Anderson and Andrew White add more runs ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

A superb catch by Ireland skipper William Porterfield from the final delivery of the day has left Ireland just two wickets away from claiming an innings win over Scotland.

Porterfield’s diving effort at short extra cover accounted for Scottish top scorer Safyaan Sharif, who hit 60 from 94 balls (8 fours, 1 six).

Sharif and Majid Haq had added 79 for the 8th wicket after Max Sorensen (4-32) and Graeme McCarter (2-17) had reduced the Scots to 64 for 7.

Earlier in the day a solid batting effort from Ireland saw them score 350 all out, with the top nine all reaching double figures.

Paul Stirling top scored with 65, while John Anderson (56) also passed the half century mark. The pair added 92 for the second wicket, passing the meagre Scotland first innings total with nine wickets still intact.

Kevin O’Brien scored a typically belligerent 45 from just 38 balls (6 fours, 2 sixes), adding 62 for the 5th wicket with Andrew White (28), before becoming one of four wickets for Moneeb Iqbal (4-68).

Andrew Balbirnie (38) and Stuart Poynter (23) shared an entertaining 6th wicket partnership of 62, as Ireland continued to score at a brisk rate. Andrew McBrine (21) and Max Sorensen (19*) got the Ireland lead past the 200 mark, before Majid Haq (4-69) wrapped the innings up.

With the forecast set fair for the final day, Ireland will be looking to complete a miserable tour for Scotland, after ending both their automatic World Cup qualification and InterContinental Cup final hopes.

ICC InterContinental Cup, Day 3 close of play

Ireland 350 all out (85.3 overs, P Stirling 65, J Anderson 56, K O’Brien 45, A Balbirnie 38, W Porterfield 30, Moneeb Iqbal 4-68, Majid Haq 4-69) lead Scotland 138 all out and 143/8 (50.3 overs, Safyaan Sharif 60, Majid Haq 31*, M Sorensen 4-32, G McCarter 2-17) by 69 runs.