WILLIAM PORTERFIELD SCORED a record-breaking 127 not out as Ireland beat the USA in Abu Dhabi.
The 75-run win lifts Ireland to the top of the table after four games at the Twenty20 World Cup Qualifiers.
Porterfield’s haul, which included 12 fours and five sixes, was the first T20 century by an Irish player and also his highest score for club or country in the limited overs format.
Ireland finished on 216-3, their highest T20 total, before bowling the USA all out for 141.
Porterfield said: “We’ve had a couple of close ones over the last three games so it’s nice to come out and put in a comprehensive performance.”
He added: “You don’t get 200 much in Twenty20 cricket and you don’t get 10 wickets very often so to get both in the same game is very pleasing for ourselves.”
Ireland top Group A with four wins from four, ahead of Hong Kong due to their superior run rate. Phil Simmons side play Italy tomorrow.
“We’ve got to bring our A game every time we play and obviously we want to win seven out of seven to win the group,” Porterfield said.
“There’s big performances in every team out here so to get a big performance under your belt is very pleasing.”
