Ireland is on the cusp of qualification for the 2015 World Cup following a resounding win over the Netherlands in Amstelveen today. The win increases Ireland’s lead in the table to 5 points and while it is mathematically possible for Ireland to be overtaken for one of the two automatic places available; it would require a series of results that only a fantasist could contemplate. Indeed it would be a surprise if Ireland doesn’t take that remote possibility out of the equation by winning here again on Tuesday. Ireland’s professionalism was evident yet again today and every time they appear in any danger they step up a gear.
After Ireland’s innings of 236, which I mistakenly felt at the time was under par; the Dutch got off to a flying start and were 60 for 1 with one ball of the 12th over left. However with that ball, Paul Stirling in his first over had Myburgh caught at slip by Johnston for 22 and the course of the match changed. Kevin O’Brien was brought into the attack and he got the danger man Tom Cooper caught by Mooney for 8 in his first over and the Dutch innings went downhill from there despite a fine 55 from Barresi which ended when he was brilliantly caught and bowled by O’Brien hurling himself low to his right.
O’Brien produced a magnificent spell, varying his pace and length, and recorded his best ODI figures of 4-13 of 7 overs. Remarkably he is very reluctant to bring himself to bowl when he is captain but happily Porterfield has more faith in him.
Only Netherlands captain Peter Borren, with a run a ball 34, put up any resistance and wickets from Dockrell, Mooney and Cusack finished the match with 14 overs to spare.
Earlier Ireland won the toss on a warm sunny morning and decided to bat. As expected White and Shannon were left out of the team but to the surprise of many Max Sorensen is still awaiting on his ODI debut as Alex Cusack was preferred. Sorensen must wonder what he has to do as he has bowled very well against Australia A, the four day match this week against the Dutch and in the inter-pros.
Ireland captain William Porterfield was dropped at cover of the second ball of the match by Swart and went on to make a somewhat laboured 79 before being out stumped of the first ball of the last over. He faced 118 balls and hit 8 fours.
Paul Stirling was bowled leg stump for 1 by the veteran Shiferli who was recalled to the Dutch side after a three year absence. Ed Joyce looked very fluent stroking three fours in a nineteen ball 22 before he chipped Shiferli to Swart at cover. Niall O’Brien joined Porterfield and they rebuilt the innings. Their partnership of 125 took over 30 overs however before O’Brien, who made 70 off 107 balls, fell to a superb piece of fielding by the Dutch captain Peter Borren who initially had dropped a difficult catch but recovered to hit the stumps leaving O’Brien short of his ground. Borren had been chiefly responsible for restricting Ireland’s score as his 10 overs only cost 27 runs.
Gary Wilson was stumped for 0 and not for the first time Kevin O’Brien considerably increased the tempo with 32 runs of twenty two balls including 3 fours and the only six of the innings. When he was dismissed caught on the boundary, the Ireland innings subsided with only 32 runs added in the last 5 overs, Trent Johnston the only remaining batsman to get to double figures. Bukhari with 3 wickets for 41 and Malik with 3 for 51 cleaned up the Ireland tail.
- Odran Flynn
