Scotland bowlers keep Ireland to 251

Scotland's bowlers were on top of their game on the opening day of its ICC Intercontinental Cup fixture against Ireland in Dubai on Wednesday (November 29).

At stumps, Scotland was 32 without loss. Kyle Coetzer and George Munsey, the openers, were batting on 13 and 23 respectively, trailing Ireland by 214 runs.

Put in, Ireland was unable to string together fruitful partnerships, and was bowled out for 251 in 81 overs.

A majority of its runs were scored by Kevin O'Brien, the veteran all-rounder. O'Brien scored an unbeaten 78 off 97 balls, which included six boundaries and three sixes.

William Porterfield, the captain, Andrew Balbirnie and Gary Wilson were among the few Ireland batsmen to get starts, but all failed to go on to make big scores. This was the direct result of a combined bowling effort from Chris Sole and Stuart Whittingham, the pacers, and Mark Watt, the left-arm spinner, with the latter two reducing Ireland to 84 for 4 in the 26th over.

O'Brien got a little support from the lower order, who all scored boundaries, with the exception of Boyd Rankin who was dismissed for 2.

Whittingham (3-23), Sole (3-79) and Watt (3-60) all took three wickets each, while Mitchell Rao took the remaining scalp.