CRICKET INTERCONTINENTAL CUP:A THIRD international century from Andrew White and some late inspiration from skipper Kyle McCallan helped Ireland into a commanding position on the second day of their Intercontinental Cup game against Canada.
White displayed the style and technique that earned him a contract at Northamptonshire a few years back, his chanceless unbeaten innings of 109 helping Ireland to declare on 326 for six.
With an hour to get amongst the Canadians, McCallan played a part in the three wickets that fell to give Ireland plenty of encouragement after losing the first day to the weather. The Canadian openers made the fatal mistake of taking a second to a misfield as McCallan threw down Ruvindu Gunasekera's stumps. And just as it looked like that would be it for the day, McCallan added further drama to proceedings with two wickets in as many balls to reduce Canada to 31 for three.
With no play possible on the first day, Ireland knew they would have to post a good first innings score and in quick time.
Their aims were hampered somewhat by a slow pitch, but openers Reinhardt Strydom and Paul Stirling knuckled down and had got to 64 before Strydom was judged leg-before for 33.
Stirling went the same way after making 40, while Ireland's form batsman, Andre Botha, also went before lunch, trying an adventurous pull to a ball that kept low as he was bowled for six.
Ireland reached the interval at 108 for three, and lost Andrew Poynter shortly after the resumption for a hard-working 23 off 92 deliveries. With so much time lost, Ireland needed to up the pace and White and Kevin O'Brien were up to the task. White hit 88 runs in the afternoon session, bringing up his half-century off just 52 balls, while O'Brien waited until after tea to bring up his 50 off 86 deliveries, with three big sixes.
White went on to score his first international century for four years before Ireland declared, the fourth-wicket partnership of 154 ending when O'Brien holed out for 75 going for a fifth maximum.
McCallan was delighted with how his side performed yesterday.
"The day couldn't have gone better for us. We batted very well and we said before we went out that we wanted three wickets in 15 overs and we got them," he said. "There's every possibility of getting a result in this game and the great thing now is that we're in the field and are in control."
