Cricket: Winless Ireland slumped to another defeat in the Friends Provident Trophy — this time by six wickets to Middlesex — after being slayed by two former Irish internationals.
Ed Joyce and Eoin Morgan both contributed to the Middlesex tally as Ireland's tame total of 175 all out was surpassed with more than 10 overs to spare.
Joyce top-scored for Middlesex with 45, with Crusaders skipper Ed Smith adding 41 and England Test hopeful Owais Shah 27.
Since their World Cup heroics against Pakistan back in March, Ireland have struggled to recapture their Caribbean form. And Trent Johnston's men capitulated after winning the toss and choosing to bat in today's contest in Dublin.
Spinners Murali Kartik and Jamie Dalrymple did the damage for Middlesex, taking seven wickets between them as Ireland lost their last six wickets for just 43 runs.
Ireland never looked like skittling a strong Middlesex batting line-up littered with current and former internationals as Nick Compton and Joyce added 46 for the first wicket in quick time.
Compton eventually fell to a sharp catch from South African Nantie Hayward off the bowling of Fourie. Crusaders skipper Smith was next to go bowled by Johnston for 41 with the score on 93 as Middlesex looked to get on with things in Dublin.
Joyce, a star contributor for Ireland during their World Cup qualification campaign, fell for 45 with Shah dismissed lbw to Fourie just seven runs later.
Despite a gutsy 10 overs from Fourie, who ended up with three wickets for 41 off his allotted overs, Morgan and Dalrymple saw Middlesex home with 77 balls to spare.