Balbirnie ton anchors Ireland to vital CWCQ win
Andy Balbirnie scored his second ODI century as Ireland picked up a vital victory over Scotland, by 25 runs, in the World Cup Qualifier in Harare on Sunday.
Balbirnie struck 105 as Ireland defended a target of 272 to secure a victory that just about keeps them in the hunt for one of the two spots up for grabs at next year’s World Cup.
Batting at number three, Balbirnie walked to the crease in the first over with the total on one after the dismissal of opener Paul Stirling for a duck.
Ireland captain William Porterfield, who had earlier lost the toss and was sent in to bat, (17) was bowled by Brad Wheal in the 12th over and that brought Niall O’Brien to crease.
Balbirnie and O’Brien combined to add 138 for the third wicket with the latter contributing a run-a-ball 70.
Kevin O’Brien then added some much-needed impetus in the innings when he blazed 46 from just 27 balls but Ireland lost a host of wickets as they ended on 271/9 in 50 overs.
Wheal was the most successful Scottish bowler with figures of 3-43 in 10 overs while fellow seamer Safyaan Sharif took two wickets.
Scotland initially made a good fist of the run-chase, reaching 94/1 in the 19th over, but the wheels started to come off in the middle-overs as they lost wickets at regular intervals, collapsing to 132/6.
Captain Kyle Coetzer (61) was one of those vital scalps to fall while Richie Berrington hit 44 batting at number four.
At 123/6 it looked like the game was all over but Sharif (34) and Mark Watt (31) swung the willow to good effect to take the total closer than what everyone had thought.
Ireland seamer Boyd Ranking took 4-63 while off-spinner Simi Singh bowled nicely for figures of 2-33 in 10 overs.
Latest
-
The AshesTest cricket: Ollie Robinson told he needs to get fitter to cope with demands of format
The seamer suffered pain in his back after just eight overs in Hobart.
-
County CricketCricket still ‘in denial’ over racism says whistleblower Azeem Rafiq
The sport has been ordered to clean up its act or face funding cuts in a new parliamentary committee report.
-
The AshesFifth Ashes Test – Day one: Travis Head halts England charge with superb century
Head helped Australia recover from 12 for three from to 241 for six at the close in Hobart.
-
Test cricketVirat Kohli says India have to use experience to become better cricketers
Virat Kohli congratulates South Africa on series win.
-
Test cricketIndia in South Africa: Dean Elgar lauds Proteas fighting spirit after series win
A team seemingly made in Dean Elgar’s image, these Proteas are fighters.
-
The AshesThe Ashes: Travis Head and Australia peg back England after flying start
Ollie Robinson and Stuart Broad reduced the hosts to 12 for three in the first Ashes Test but an injury to the former proved costly for England.
-
The AshesThe Ashes: Travis Head century stops England in their tracks in Hobart
The tourists had the hosts 12 for three early on.
-
The AshesWomen’s Ashes: Heather Knight hopeful England will not suffer more disruptions
A member of England’s support staff has tested positive.
-
The AshesWomen’s Ashes talking points: Fatigue and rotation and the Covid-19 factor
The tourists will start as underdogs against an Australia side who currently hold the Ashes.
-
Test cricketThird Test: South Africa vs India at Newlands – Day four Scoreboard
Follow all the action from the third Test as South Africa host India in the series decider at Newlands in Cape Town.