Ireland seal dramatic one-run final-ball win over Scotland to claim T20I tri-series

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After Ireland posted 186/9 at the Malahide Cricket Club on Friday, 20 September, half-centuries from Matthew Cross and Richie Berrington took Scotland close. They needed 15 runs for a win in the final over, and Shane Getkate was given the task of defending the Irish total.

The first five balls went for 12 runs, leaving Craig Wallace on strike needing three to win, or two runs to tie the score and force a Super Over. Getkate bowled full and Wallace squeezed it to point, the batters scrambled for one and then turned for a second run they had to take. The Irish fielders remained calm and ran Wallace out by five metres, Ireland winning the series on the last ball by one run.

Scotland's stand-in captain Richie Berrington won the toss and chose to bowl. Ireland’s opening pair of Gareth Delany (25 from 10 balls) and Kevin O’Brien (63 from 45 balls) got the home side off to a flying start. The pair put on 47 in 21 balls, before Delany holed out looking for the third six of his innings.

Andy Balbirnie (20 from 10 balls) and captain Gary Wilson (31 from 25 balls) continued to pile on the runs, but Scotland exerted some control, taking late wickets.

In response, Scotland lost in-form batter George Munsey early for 6 and Michael Leask soon after for 7. But then Cross (66 from 55 balls) and Berrington (76 from 43 balls) came together and put on a marvellous 122-run third-wicket stand.

The Scots threatened to chase down the Irish score with ease until Craig Young (1/29) returned to the attack and removed Berrington to an outstanding catch in the deep by Lorcan Tucker.

Further wickets fell, as Scotland slipped from 158/2 to 166/5. It took the game down to the eventful final over, but the hosts held on.

Munsey was declared Player of the Series for his batting heroics earlier in the tournament, including a memorable hundred against the Netherlands.