Ireland (237/9) beat Kenya (120, 35.2 overs) by 117 runs
IRELAND’S CRICKETERS CAN hold their heads high after closing out their one-day international mini-series with a win in Mombasa this morning.
An 88 from man of the match Ed Joyce helped Ireland to a 117-run win in the ICC World Cricket League Championship this morning, a timely tonic following Saturday’s defeat in their opening one-day test against their Kenyan hosts.
Joyce’s strong stand helped Ireland steady the ship after a nervy start which saw Kenya take three wickets inside the opening 10 overs, leaving Ireland on 48/3.
The Sussex man was bowled for just three runs by James Ngoche on Saturday, but found his groove at the crease today, hitting five fours and three sixes before he was finally caught by Ngoche off Varaiya’s ball late on.
Some big hitting by John Mooney saw Ireland finish out on 237/9 to set Kenya a reasonable target, but the prospect of a second upset in three days was quickly snuffed out by another brilliant Irish bowling display.
A pair of wickets from both Trent Johnston and Alex Cusack and a single from Boyd Rankin tore through the top of the Kenyan order in double-quick time, leaving the hosts floundering on 37/5 inside 15 overs.
The remainder of the Kenyan batsmen were swiftly taken care of by Paul Stirling and George Dockrell. They finished the day with two wickets apiece for a combined 50 runs as Kenya were bowled out for 120 in 35 overs.
The win sees Ireland return to the top of the WCL table on 10 points, two ahead of Scotland in second place. The top two teams will qualify for the 2015 Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
