Ireland clinch Desert Tri-Series in high-scoring encounter
Ireland clinched the Desert Tri-Series with a 24-run win over Scotland in a thrilling encounter at the ICC Global Cricket Academy in Dubai.
Ireland equalled their highest ODI total of 331 – matching their score against Zimbabwe in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup – but needed almost every run as a gutsy Scotland ensured a tense finale but ultimately fell short on 307.
Batting first having won the toss, Ireland batsman William Porterfield departed early but Paul Stirling smashed ten boundaries on his way to 74 – his 15th ODI half century – and added 117 in 23 overs with Andrew Balbirnie (47) in their second consecutive century partnership, before both fell in quick succession.
Simi Singh and Niall O’Brien then shared a fourth-wicket-stand of 97 in 13 overs. O’Brien reached his 17th ODI half-century but departed soon after on 51, before Singh fell four balls later for 45.
The pain wasn't over for Scotland's bowlers. A useful lower-order partnership between veteran Kevin O’Brien – who hit four maximums in an aggressive 46 from just 24 deliveries on the day of his 300th cap – and Gary Wilson allowed Ireland to help themselves to 103 runs in the final ten overs on their way to 331/6.
Stuart Whittingham was the pick of Scotland's bowlers with 3/58 from his ten overs, including the dismissals of Porterfield, Balbirnie and Singh.
Scotland valiantly kept themselves in the game up until the final few overs, as opener Michael Jones made his second half century in his first two games, matching Stirling's match top-score of 71, while George Munsey (30) and 60 Matt Cross (33) also made contributions.
It didn’t take long for the required rate to creep into double figures but Michael Leask (59) and Calum MacLeod (58), batting at No.7 and No. 5 respectively, kept things interesting, fuelling hopes of an unlikely chase by collectively smashing 95 off 59 balls to leave the equation at 68 required from 30 deliveries.
However, when George Dockrell (2-43) and Barry McCarthy picked up the vital scalps of Leask and MacLeod respectively, Ireland had all but sealed their sixth successive ODI victory.
