MacLeod helps Scotland avoid Dublin whitewash

Scotland batsman Calum MacLeod was the driving force behind his side's eight-wicket win against Ireland in Dublin on Friday, scoring an unbeaten century to avoid a series whitewash.
Scotland batsman Calum MacLeod was the driving force behind his side's eight-wicket win against Ireland in Dublin on Friday, scoring an unbeaten century to avoid a series whitewash.
Ireland posted a score that would have been a winner in the first two games, with John Mooney's 96 driving them to 241 for nine. But MacLeod was undaunted, and he made 116 not out as Scotland won with 26 balls to spare.
The Scotland, already two nil down in the series, won the toss and chose to field. In the early stages they took regular wickets, not allowing the top order to get much past double figures, and Majid Haq firing.
The Irish were five down for 141 when Kevin O'Brien departed for 36, and Scotland looked well on top. But then Mooney arrived to give the knock momentum, and he made his near-ton off just 77 balls.
He struck two sixes and 12 fours, but didn't get much support at the other end. He was the final wicket to fall, to Safyaan Sharif, as Haq took a five-fer.
Scotland's chase got off to a poor start as they lost Matty Cross in the second over, but then MacLeod and Hamish Gardiner knuckled down and piled on the runs. They put on 179 runs together over 213 deliveries.
Gardiner departed for 86, in the 38th over, and this brought skipper PReston Mommsen out to join MacLeod, and they saw the side home with an unbeaten stand of 57. MacLeod's 116 was his second one-day ton.
Latest
-
England
Liam Livingstone praises England spinner Rehan Ahmed as ‘exceptional talent’
Ahmed has furthered his blossoming reputation against the West Indies by recording identical figures of 10-1-40-2 in two ODIs in Antigua.
-
England
Little bit of relief – Sam Curran and England bounce back in Antigua
Curran laid the groundwork for England’s six-wicket win.
-
England
Sam Curran and Jos Buttler return to form as England level series in Antigua
Chasing 203, Will Jacks put England into the ascendancy with a sparkling 73 off 72 balls.
-
England
Sam Curran finds form as England bowl out West Indies for 202
Curran took three big scalps days after enduring a tough time in the first ODI.
-
England
Andrew Flintoff set to return to England’s backroom staff for Windies T20 series
Flintoff first linked up with the national side in an unpaid role for ODI series against New Zealand and Ireland before the World Cup.
-
Women's Cricket
Danni Wyatt stars on 150th T20I appearance as England begin India tour with win
Sophie Ecclestone returned figures of three for 15 on her comeback appearance after four months out with a shoulder injury.
-
England
Harry Brook blocks himself from ‘negativity’ by withdrawing from social media
Brook has left the running of his X and Instagram accounts to someone else.
-
Women's Cricket
Sophie Ecclestone set for England return in T20 opener in India – Heather Knight
The world’s top-ranked limited-overs bowler underwent surgery after dislocating her shoulder in August.
-
England
Rehan Ahmed rejects Sir Alastair Cook’s criticism of Jos Buttler’s captaincy
Several of Buttler’s decisions were scrutinised during a calamitous World Cup defence.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier and Danielle Gibson handed their first central contracts by ECB
England Women have once again issued 18 full-time deals.