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JACK TECTOR’S century and Jacob Mulder’s five-wicket haul ensured Ireland Wolves maintained total control of their three-day game against Scotland A at YMCA CC.

Leg-spinner Mulder claimed 5 for 32 as Scotland were dismissed for 184 in their first innings, giving the Irish a lead of 166.
Resuming on 53 for 5, Riyaad Henry (32) and top scorer Mark Watt (68) frustrated the Irish with a sixth wicket stand of 78 before Mulder got the breakthrough, trapping Henry lbw.

Cameron, Aslam and Rao were all bamboozled by the wily Mulder, while the impressive Peter Chase (3-38) ended Watt’s resistance.

The Irish chose not to enforce the follow-on, and despite the early loss of Ed Joyce (10), Tector, playing on his home ground, and Andrew Balbirnie quickly stamped Ireland’s complete authority on proceedings.

The pair added 143 in 161 balls with Tector’s 107 coming from 133 deliveries (11 fours, 2 sixes), while Balbirnie hit 10 boundaries in his 77 from 88 balls.

The dimissal of Tector saw skipper Balbirnie declare at 204 for 3 – an overall lead of 370.

Scotland yet again faced a tricky period before the close, and Peter Chase (2-12) struck two blows to leave them 39 for 2 and facing a tough challenge going into the final day.

“It was great to score a century on my home ground,” said centurion Jack Tector. I batted quite a bit with Andrew Balbirnie which worked well and he made everything quite clear for me.

“We were able to score quickly in the second innings and it puts us in a strong position going into the final day needing to get eight more, so hopefully we can wrap it up.

“It’s going to be tough no doubt. It’ll be a grind but our bowlers have been superb throughout the match, with the seamers putting the ball in the right areas. I’d expect spin to play a major part with hopefully Jacob Mulder able to repeat his first innings performance and Simi Singh to play a bigger role.

Jacob Mulder paid tribute to his team mates for a superb all-round effort which has put the Wolves in such a formidable position.

“I thought the quick bowlers today worked really hard without much reward, as they put the ball in the right areas and made it difficult for the Scottish batters to score.

“It was great to get amongst the wickets but it was a real team performance with the ball. I felt the ball was coming out well and once I got into the groove it all came together. I was well backed up in the field too so it was great to contribute to such a sizeable first innings lead,” added Mulder.

“Hopefully it’ll be more of the same tomorrow. We’ll keep the plans the same, putting the ball in the right areas, making it hard for them to score runs and hopefully build the pressure, squeeze a few wickets and go on from there.”

The final days play starts on Thursday at YMCA CC, Claremont Road at 11am.

Ireland Wolves v Scotland A, 3-day friendly

At Claremont Road, Day 2 of 3

Ireland Wolves 350 all out (78 overs; S Singh 71, E Joyce 65, T Kane 64, J Mulder 32, J Anderson 27, J Tector 25; M Watt 4-47, C Shoebridge 2-41, S Cameron 2-83) and 204-3 dec (42.4 overs; J Tector 107, A Balbirnie 77; M Watt 3-78)

Scotland A 184 (65.4 overs; M Watt 68, R Henry 32, C Wallace 22, M Rao 20; J Mulder 5-32, P Chase 3-38) and 39-2 (15 overs; P Chase 2-12)

Cricket Ireland
Jack Tector scored 107 in the Wolves 2nd innings on his home ground YMCA CC
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Connaught