A 27-run victory over Scotland in Ayr means Ireland go into the final match of the series, a T20 fixture, with an unassailable 2-0 lead over their hosts.
FINAL SCORECARD
On the back of an outstanding century yesterday, Stephen Doheny won the toss and decided to bat first once again as conditions in Ayr were much better after a damp and overcast day made things difficult for batters on Tuesday.
The opening pair of Doheny and Fionn Hand made a positive start and put on 66 before Doheny was trapped LBW for 37. Hand, however pushed on from there and went on to make a half century before being bowled for 50 to leave Ireland in the promising position of 106-2 at the half-way stage.
After Harry Tector (11) and Fiachra Tucker (21) departed to leave the score at 136-4, the rest of the side struggled badly with the bat, and no other batter made it to double figures as the side were bowled out for 170, with Dickenson easily the pick of the Scotland bowlers with 5-33 from his nine overs.
The Irish bowlers got off to a great start with Rory Anders (2-22) picking up two early wickets to leave Scotland 16-2 and in real trouble. Varun Chopra, who has been in fine form with the ball then took three wickets for 45 in his ten overs to restrict the Scots further, with Josh Little (1-8) picking up a wicket to leave them 69-6.
Carnegie proved to be a thorn in the Irish bowlers’ side as he powered towards a half century despite slowly going through partners, but Hand, brought into the attack for the first time late in the game, had him caught for 46.
That wicket left Scotland 46 runs short of Ireland’s total, but with just two wickets left, and with time on Scotland’s side Ireland knew they would need the final two wickets to win the game.
The ninth wicket saw 16 runs added before Hand (2-11) picked up a second wicket and it seemed like there would be a tense finale before Ross McCay (2-22) took the final wicket quickly to ensure Ireland came away with a 27 run victory and a 2-0 series lead.
No
Connaught
