Mooney stars in Mombasa win
Ireland landed a series whitewash over Kenya after John Mooney's nerveless approach through the closing throes of Friday's third and final Twenty20 International in Mombasa.
Ireland landed a series whitewash over Kenya after John Mooney's nerveless approach through the closing throes of Friday's third and final Twenty20 International in Mombasa.
Requiring seven runs to win from the fixture's final six deliveries, the home side could only manage four as seamer Mooney proved triumphantly economical. Tail-enders Shem Ngoche and Nelson Odhiambo would've fancied themselves to seal the deal, but were ultimately at the mercy of Mooney's superb line and length.
Posting a modest 107 for nine on the back of Ed Joyce's 38 and Gary Wilson's 32, the Irish needed a tight bowling display in order to prevent the opposition from enjoying a consolation win.
Right-armer Mooney and company duly delivered well enough to restrict the opposition to 105 for seven, leaving the Kenyans to rue a two-run loss for their collective inability to cash in on Collins Obuya's 42 and Tanmay Mishra's 37 at the top of the chase.
The series served as a solid warm-up for the teams, who head into the World Twenty20 Qualifiers on the back of some testing match practice.