Cricket:More known for his prowess with the bat, Kevin O'Brien came up trumps with the ball in Dubai today as Ireland won their vital clash with Scotland by 17 runs to remain in second place in Group B at the World Twenty20 qualifier.
The Railway Union all-rounder had not bowled so far in the tournament, but Ireland captain William Porterfield threw him the ball after injuries to John Mooney and Alex Cusack forced them out of the attack at the international stadium.
O’Brien didn’t let the side down as they defended a first-innings score of 159, taking the wicket of Fraser Watts (33) and then helping to run out Jan Stander in the 15th over and then accounting for Ryan Flannigan and key man Kyle Coetzer (62) in the 19th over to finish with three for 35 from his four overs.
Trent Johnston had got Ireland off to a great start with two early wickets, while Boyd Rankin took care of Calum MacLeod, who had already scored over 200 runs in the tournament.
Coetzer led the Scottish revival and the game was always in the balance until he was caught and bowled by O’Brien after hitting 62 from 52 deliveries.
Ireland also had a terrible start to their innings, losing openers Paul Stirling and Porterfield in the first seven balls. But a brilliant unbeaten 78 from 58 balls from Ed Joyce, who hit the last two balls of the innings for six, and good contributions from Alex Cusack (22), Gary Wilson (26) and Kevin O’Brien (16) helped Ireland post a score of 159 for five off their 20 overs.
Ireland still trail Namibia by two points at the top of Group B after they beat Kenya by seven wickets today. With games to come against Oman and Italy, the African nation are likely to remain in top spot and earn a chance to play-off for the first of two spots at next September’s World Twenty20 finals in Sri Lanka.
Ireland finish off their Group B campaign with games against Uganda and Oman on Monday and Tuesday. If they remain in second place, they will play the third-placed team in Group A, currently Canada, in their first play-off game next Thursday.
SCORES
Ireland 159-5(20 ovs) (E Joyce 78no, G Wilson 26, A Cusack 22, K O'Brien 16; M Haq 2-18)..
Scotland 142-7(20 ovs) (K Coetzer 62, F Watts 33, R Flannigan 18; K O'Brien 3-35, T Johnston 2-23).
Ireland won by 17 runs.
