Ireland through to third final in a row after epic last match in Nairobi

Coach Simmons praises work of spin bowlers and the experience of seamer Johnston

After nearly a year and a half of competition, with nine teams playing a total of 28 matches, the ICC Intercontinental Cup 2007-08 came down to the last few thrilling overs on the last day of the last match before we knew who would contest the final.

As Ireland pushed for victory on day four today in Nairobi, Kenya did its best to play out for the draw that would take it to South Africa for the final against Namibia. But with just 20 minutes left in the day’s play, left-arm slow bowler Regan West trapped number-11 batsman Peter Ongondo leg before wicket and the Irish celebrations could finally begin.

It was a cruel end to what had been a brave rearguard action by the home side. Dismissed for just 186 in the first innings after Ireland’s mammoth effort of 576-4 declared, Kenya’s batsmen showed much more resolve the second time around and almost survived the epic 143 overs required that would have given them that all-important draw.

In the end, they battled to 327 all out with 18-year-old Seren Waters, on debut, top-scoring with 75. He was well supported by ICC Associate ODI Player of the Year 2007 Thomas Odoyo, who lasted 168 balls for his 61 runs.

But the way Ireland dominated the match after being put into bat on day one, it truly deserved this win and when it takes the field in Port Elizabeth against Namibia from 30 October to 3 November, it will be its third successive Intercontinental Cup final and it has the chance to record an unprecedented hat-trick of victories in the competition.

It was a nail-biting finish to the group stage of the competition with West, Kyle McCallan and Trent Johnston bowling 100.4 of the 135.4 overs bowled in the second innings. It was a big effort, particularly from West who finished with figures of 3-81 off 42.4. Johnston registered the best figures of the innings with 4-43 from 21 overs, wickets that included the top four Kenya batsmen.

After the game a delighted Ireland coach Phil Simmons praised the way his bowlers stuck to their task.

“Things are great,” said the 45-year-old former West Indies all-rounder.

“We still had it all to do in the second innings because it was a good track and Kenya batted very well the second time around. But our bowlers did really well to keep probing in the right areas and it paid off in the end.

“The pitch did take a bit of spin so it was always going to be up to West and McCallan to do the lion’s share of the bowling because they were getting it to turn. And I thought they did really well.”

After a period of uncertainty due to work commitments, former captain Trent Johnston made himself available for this tour and his four wickets in the second innings proved vital.

“Trent is a great player for us and has been for a long time,” said Simmons.

“His experience really came through today and he showed the younger pace bowlers how you need to adapt as a seamer if you are to be successful on different types of wicket and in different conditions. It is great that he’s back in the team again.”

Looking forward to the final, defending champion Ireland, unbeaten in this competition since 2004, must be the clear favourite to take its third title in a row.

“I think that’s fair. We have beaten Namibia in Namibia and Kenya in Kenya so that gives us confidence. But the final is a one-off game and anything can happen so we won’t be going to PE thinking we only have to show up to win it. It’s going to be a tough game and we will have to work hard if we are going to take the cup home to Ireland again,” added Simmons.

ICC Intercontinental Cup 2007-08 table (final)

Key:

Six points for first innings lead

14 points for a win (so, maximum of 20 points per match) (W)

Three points each for a draw in a match with eight or more hours lost (D)

10 points for an abandoned match (A)

Three points each for first-innings tie

Seven points each for an outright tie

The final of the ICC Intercontinental Cup 2007-08 will take place at St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth from Thursday 30 October to Monday 3 November. For the first time in the competition’s history, the final will be contested over five days.

A full scorecard of the Kenya v Ireland match can be found at www.icc-cricket.com, www.cricketeurope.org or www.cricinfo.com.

The ICC Intercontinental Cup has quickly grown in stature and profile since its inception four years ago and now the ICC’s premier first-class tournament is an integral part of the Associate Members’ cricket schedule.

Having previously been designed around a two-group, three-day format, the event has evolved into an eight-team, round-robin and truly global tournament featuring four-day cricket which gives those teams who do not play Test cricket the chance to experience the longer form of the game.

Scotland won the first ICC Intercontinental Cup in 2004, beating Canada in the final, while Ireland has been victorious in both events since then, beating Kenya in the 2005 decider and Canada in the 2006-07 event.

For more information go to: www.icc-cricket.com