Cricket: Ireland succumbed to their second defeat in as many days as a superb century from Hylton Ackerman steered Leicestershire to a seven-wicket victory in the Friends Provident Trophy clash at Grace Road.
The South African struck an unbeaten 118 off 87 balls as the Foxes successfully chased down a target of 198 in a match reduced to 31 overs a side after a delayed start because of rain.
Ireland, without seven of their likely 2020 World Cup squad, posted a total of 197 for five with Paul Stirling and hitting a career best 80 and Kevin O’Brien making an unbeaten 67.
The score looked good enough to test the home side but Ackerman’s magnificent knock swung the match the Foxes’ way to give them their first win in any form of cricket this season.
Ireland were encouraged when they made an early breakthrough dismissing opener Matt Boyce with the total on 37 in the sixth over. But Ackerman and James Taylor joined forces in a second-wicket stand of 107 in 17 overs.
Ackerman was the dominant partner producing some outstanding attacking shots to reach 50 off 44 balls with seven boundaries. Taylor showed his ability with one sweetly timed six off Regan West but then fell two runs short of his half century when he was bowled by Kyle McCallan trying to reverse sweep.
The partnership, however, had wrecked Ireland’s hopes of a win and when the Foxes took 35 runs off their three overs of power play in which Ackerman reached his 100 off 76 balls the game was in the home side’s grip.
Ackerman and Paul Nixon shared an unbroken stand of 55 in the last six overs to give Leicestershire victory with two overs to spare.
Ireland’s innings was underpinned by Stirling’s excellent 80 and a run-a-ball 67 from O’Brien. The pair, who came together with the score at 44 for three, shared a partnership of 110 in 18 overs.
Stirling reached his 50 off 58 balls and then went past his previous best of 70 made against Northants. He was finally trapped lbw by Iain O’Brien having hit eight fours in addition to two sixes.
Kevin O’Brien ensured Ireland cashed in on their batting power play with the three overs producing 30 runs to provide real momentum at the back end of the innings, but it was not enough to prevent an Ackerman-inspired Leicestershire cruising to victory.