Cricket - World Cup qualifiers: A stunning century from skipper William Porterfield led Ireland to a crushing seven-wicket victory over fierce rivals Scotland in their opening World Cup qualifier at Benoni in South Africa today.
Ireland were set 233 for victory after earlier failing to restrict the Scots after they had reduced them to 24 for four.
From the off Porterfield signaled his intent to take the attack to the Scots, hitting a four and a six off consecutive balls in Dewald Nel’s opening over.
The Gloucestershire batsman may be known for his solid technique and workmanlike approach to batting, but he displayed a different side to his game today as he clubbed the Scottish attack all over Willowmoore Park.
Joined by fellow left-hander Eoin Morgan after Gary Wilson was bowled for 14, the pair rattled along to bring up the 100 in just 15 overs. Porterfield brought up his 50 off just 35 balls and they would claim a 100 partnership from just 84 balls.
In his first game for Ireland in over a year, Morgan hit three sixes in bringing up his 50, before the Middlesex player eventually departed for 61 following a second-wicket partnership of 131, scored in less than 20 overs.
Porterfield would go on to score his third One Day International century and fifth in total for Ireland, before being bowled for 101.
It was left to Niall O’Brien (25 not out) and Andre Botha (15 not out) to knock off the winning runs as Ireland got home with 12 overs to spare.
Having earlier won the toss, Ireland’s opening bowlers left the Scottish top-order in tatters as Boyd Rankin and Peter Connell took two wickets apiece to reduce them to 24 for four.
That brought Neil McCallum to the wicket and the 31-year-old was to dig his side out of a hole in spectacular fashion, scoring his second One Day International century, both coming against Ireland.
He should never have made it to three figures as he was dropped twice before going on to bring up his ton off 129 deliveries, including 11 fours and a six.
He smashed two more sixes before he finished, unbeaten on 121 and shared in a blistering eighth-wicket stand of 56 from just 31 balls with Jan Stander (22 not out) as Scotland closed on 232 for seven.
Rankin was the pick of the Irish attack, finishing with figures of two for 27 from his 10 overs, while Connell suffered in the late onslaught as his two wickets came at a cost of 51 runs.
Ireland coach Phil Simmons may be tempted to rest some of his frontline players for tomorrow’s clash with Oman, who were on their way to a comprehensive defeat to Canada in their opening Group A clash
Scores: Scotland 232-7 (50 ovs) (N McCallum 121no, K Coetzer 29, J Stander 22no; B Rankin 2-27, P Connell 2-51), Ireland 233-3 (W Porterfield 101, E Morgan 61, N O'Brien 25n0). Ireland won by 7 wkts.
