IRE VS SCO ODI

Right then, what a nail-biter of a contest we have witnessed and it had us engrossed all the way through. The action in ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers continues as we have two games lined up on Thursday, the 22nd of June as well. It will be Netherlands vs United States and West Indies vs Nepal. Both games will start at 12.30 pm IST (7 am GMT). Do join us a bit early for the build-up as well. Until then, goodbye and cheers!

Richie Berrington, the captain of Scotland says that he is delighted to be on the winning side and what an exceptional knock it was from Michael Leask as it always feels good to win against Ireland. He adds that the efforts have been put in by the team to prepare for this tournament and they are feeling delighted to have started on a high with a victory. Mentions that the bowlers bowled brilliantly at the top and that set the platform for the rest to follow. Claims that a good start with the ball and a brilliant finish with the bat at the end of the game won them this match. Ends by saying that he is just relieved and delighted to get over the line.

Andy Balbirnie, the skipper of Ireland says that the score was good on the board but credit to the opposition for winning the game. He adds that they would want to get better and win such close games, especially defending the total. Adds that he can not blame a particular bowler as they put in their 100% effort and it is just that the opposition was a bit better than them today. He closes by saying that the inning of Curtis Campher was high quality and the partnership with George Dockrell was brilliant. Adds that they were happy at half-time but a bit low at the moment.

The man of the moment Michael Leask is rightfully adjudged as the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his knock of 91 runs in 61 deliveries. He says that he can not put his feeling into words at the moment as this victory tastes a world lot better. He adds that the team has got a lot of belief in each other and when given a chance they can get over the line in such tight games more often than not. He closes by saying that they have got a great bunch of lads and this is just the starting as the main aim is to play in the major tournament in India later this year.

Time for the presentations...

Ireland’s batting effort go off to the worst possible start as they lost Paul Stirling and skipper Andy Balbirnie on golden ducks in the first over of the inning bowled by Brandon McMullen. Harry Tector was his next victim as he got the batter to edge one to slip and when Mark Watt dismissed Lorcan Tucker in his first over, Ireland found themselves 33 for the loss of four wickets inside the first Powerplay. Andy McBrine held up one end as he saw the carnage happen at the other end and helped gain some control in the inning with a steady 32. Curtis Campher and George Dockrell got together and put up a 136-run partnership for the sixth wicket in just 150 deliveries to get Ireland into a position of strength. Dockrell reached his half-century but was dismissed on 69 when McMullen was brought back into the attack a little too late. Curtis Campher reached his maiden ODI century scoring 120 runs in 108 balls and showed what his team was missing in their previous loss against Oman. Brandon McMullen was the pick of the bowlers for Scotland, claiming a five-wicket haul, but was underused as he bowled just seven overs.

Scotland started their run chase in a disappointing manner as they lost Matthew Cross early to Mark Adair but his opening partner Christopher McBride held up one end and scored a good half-century. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals with Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Richie Berrington, and Tomas Mackintosh all getting to double digits but not being able to capitalize. Michael Leask looked good right from the start and he was joined by Mark Watt who played a good counter-attacking inning as he scored 47 in 43 balls with the two adding 82 runs in 67 balls for the 8th wicket. Watt's wicket opened the door for Ireland to make a comeback but Safyaan Sharif played a responsible knock and Leask did the rest. Mark Adair had three wickets under his belt and almost defended 8 runs in the last over. George Dockrell and Joshua Little claimed two wickets each with Curtis Campher and Benjamin White chipping in with one a piece.

OH, MY WORD! WHAT A GAME!!! Michael Leask is the hero for Scotland as he has pulled off a blinder here to take his team home! What a remarkable game we have witnessed here. The momentum has swung both ways all through this tie and whenever either team looked down and out, they would find a way to claw themselves out of the hole. In the end, it was Scotland who managed to hold their nerves and start their campaign with a win. A special mention for the efforts of Curtis Campher who played a remarkable knock for Ireland but despite his efforts, they now suffer consecutive losses.

FOUR! A cry of joy from Michael Leask as the ball races away for a boundary. Scotland have won this and pulled this game right from the jaws of defeat. Fuller one just wide off Michael Leask swings hard at it but gets an inside edge that runs down to the fence behind the wicket for four runs. After a sensational knock from Michael Leask Scotland gets over the line with the help of the lady luck on the very last delivery.

BYE! Short-pitched delivery following the batter, Chris Sole looks to put any part of his bat behind this but fails to do so. Michael Leask runs for it and completes the single as Lorcan Tucker takes a sigh but misses the stumps at the striker's end. 2 runs are needed of the final delivery. 599 legal deliveries and it has all come down to this last ball to decide who grabs the 2 points here.

Bumper zipping past the badge of Chris Sole, he looks to pull this out of the park but fails to get any part of his bat behind the delivery as the keeper collects it.

Chris Sole is the last batter for Scotland.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Another twist in this topsy-turvy game as Ireland gets rid of Safyaan Sharif. Short-pitched delivery body bound, Safyaan Sharif went for the glory stroke as he looks to pull this but gets a top edge flying in the hands of Paul Stirling at short third man for his dismissal. Ireland one wicket away and Scotland just one hit away from a victory.

Full and wide outside off, Michael Leask guides this towards sweeper cover for a single. 3 needed of the last 4 deliveries.

FOUR! Harry Tector crumbles in the pressure cooker situation as he misfields this for a boundary. Fuller one on middle, Michael Leask drills this towards long on for a single but a misfield earned Scotland a much-needed boundary as they inch closer to a victory here.

Yorker nailed to perfection but Michael Leask drills this to long on for a single. 8 needed of the last over for Scotland.

FOUR! A pressure reliever for Ireland and Michael Leask. fuller one in middle, Michael Leask predicts this well and shuffles to his leg as he slogs this towards the forward square leg fence for four.