Cricket:Ireland booked their place at the 2011 World Cup after they proved far too strong for the Netherlands in Pretoria today, running out six-wicket winners with their seventh victory in eight qualifying matches.
The win also earns them a place in Sunday’s final after Canada and Kenya both lost in the penultimate round of matches in the Super Eights stage of the competition.
Half-centuries from skipper William Porterfield (78) and Eoin Morgan (76) helped Ireland chase down their target of 223 at the LC de Villiers Oval with 33 balls to spare.
The two left-handers put on 117 for the second wicket following the departure of Gary Wilson for 21 after he had shared in an opening partnership of 60 with Porterfield.
Ireland’s seamers did most of the damage earlier in the day, with Boyd Rankin and Alex Cusack taking three wickets each, while Peter Connell picked up two.
Ireland finish their Super Eights campaign with a game against Kenya on Friday, before they attempt to win the qualifying series outright for the first time on Sunday.
Scoreboard
Netherlands 222 (50 ovs)(A Kervezee 77; A Cusack 3-26, B Rankin 3-28, P Connell 2-35);
Ireland 226-4 (44.3 ovs)(W Porterfield 78, E Morgan 76).
Ireland won by 6 wkts.
