Scotland take series as Ireland’s bowlers put to sword again

Ireland’s seam bowlers were yet again unable to contain Scotland’s batsmen as the visitors secured a six-wicket victory in the re-arranged Twenty20 International at Bready to secure the the three-match series.

Scottish wicket-keeper Matthew Cross again played the key knock after Ireland had made 166 for six in their 20 overs, hitting 48 from just 30 balls, while skipper Preston Mommsen (47 not out from 29) and opener Kyle Coetzer (34 from 22) also went to town on Ireland's seam attack.

Tyrone Kane struck in his first over, while left-arm spinner George Dockrell made a big difference on his return to the side, taking three for 21, including the wickets of Coetzer and Cross in the space of six deliveries.

Opening the batting for the second time in the series, Ireland again suffered from not having one of their batsman go on and make a match-defining score.

Skipper Kevin O'Brien, the returning Andrew Balbirnie and Andrew Poynter all made it into the 30s before departing, with Kane showing off his all-round abilities with an unbeaten 26 from 17 balls.

Ireland's bowlers will have have another chance to impress new coach John Bracewell ahead of the upcoming World T20 qualifiers in Sunday's final game between the sides, which gets underway at 2pm at Bready.

SECOND TWENTY20 INTERNATIONAL
(at Bready CC): Scotland won the toss and fielded.
IRELAND
S Poynter c Cross b Sharif 11
J Anderson c Munsey b Main 3
A Balbirnie run out 31
A Poynter c Sharif b Leask 36
K O'Brien c Leask Sharif 36
S Thompson c Leask b Berrington 6
T Kane not out 26
G Dockrell not out 10
Extras (b1, lb2, w4) 7
Total (for 6 wkts, 20 ovs) 166
Did not bat: A Cusack, G McCarter, C Young.
Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-20, 3-65; 4-101; 5-114, 6-142
Bowling: S Sharif 4-0-26-2; G Main 3-0-21-1; J Davey 4-0-35-0; M Watt 4-0-31-0; R Berrington 3-0-31-1; M Leask 2-0-19-1.
SCOTLAND
G Munsey b Kane 0
K Coetzer st S Poynter b Dockrell 34
M Cross c S Poynter b Dockrell 48
M Leask b Dockrell 13
R Berrington not out 20
P Mommsen not out 47
Extras (lb1, w4 ) 5
Total (for 4 wkts, 18.1 ovs) 168
Did not bat: J Davey, C Wallace, S Sharif, M Watt, G Main.
Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-74, 3-87, 4-100.
Bowling: T Kane 3.1-0-30-1; C Young 2-0-19-0; A Cusack 3-0-33-0; G McCarter 3-0-30-0; G Dockrell 4-0-21-3; S Thompson 2-0-24-0; K O'Brien 1-0-9-0.

Scotland won by 6 wkts and win three-match series 2-0. Final game on Sunday at 2pm at Bready CC.