CRICKET/International match: Ireland opened their European Division One campaign with a comprehensive 99-run win over Denmark in Glasgow. In overcast weather and on a lively pitch, the bowlers were in control for most of the day.
Having been inserted by the Danes, Ireland debutant Kenny Carroll fell without scoring, as the opening slot continues to be something of a hoodoo.
The Railway Union batsman, who has been in such prolific form domestically, survived one huge appeal for lbw to his first ball in international cricket, but wasn't so fortunate when struck in front again just four balls later.
William Porterfield and Andre Botha added 57 for the second wicket, both left-handers playing some fine attacking shots all around the wicket.
Botha played the shot of the day, a magnificent pull off Hansen that went out of the ground. He was looking in ominous form before edging Hansen behind to give Freddie Klokker the first of his five dismissals in the innings.
Niall O'Brien, playing in his first game since last year's Intercontinental Cup win, took the score to over the 100 mark, and at 102 for 2 in the 22nd over, Ireland looked set for a score in the region of 280.
A middle-order collapse altered that target drastically, as the Irish lost seven wickets for 71 runs to leave them wobbling at 173 for 9. A last-wicket stand of 36, between Dave Langford-Smith, 22 not out, and Paul Mooney, 12, took the Irish to 209 all out, with 28 deliveries unused.
Zeeshan Shah was best with the ball for Denmark, taking three for 45, while Thomas and Malcolm Hansen each picked up two wickets.
Any nerves about the result among the Irish contingent were quickly dispelled by the opening spells of skipper Trent Johnston, and Langford-Smith.
The pair reduced the Danes to 40 for 5 in the opening 10 overs, star batsman Klokker falling to the first legitimate ball of Langford-Smith's spell.
The Irish could even afford the luxury of two dropped chances in the slips, as Denmark struggled to cope with the Irish seamers.
The only exception was Carsten Pedersen, who played some lovely cover drives, as he made 65 not out, in his side's final score of 110 all out. He hit eight boundaries and faced 85 balls, and that innings was enough to earn him "man of the match".
Coach Adrian Birrell was in an upbeat mood after the game but knows tougher tasks lie ahead.
"We got a great start and 280 looked to be out of target. We totally lost it in the middle, but fortunately we bat all the way down. It wasn't an easy pitch, and the overhead conditions were also very favourable to the bowlers. Having said that, we didn't do ourselves proud with some of our batting, and we need to look at shot selection.
"Our opening bowlers, Trent (Johnston), and Langford-Smith, blew them away, and I was delighted by our aggression and intensity in the field. It was effectively game over after 10 overs."
Ireland face Scotland in a pivotal clash today at Ayr, and Birrell was coy about the possible team selection: "We will have a full squad of 15 to choose from in the one-day international. Bray, White and Morgan are all flying in as we speak. Everyone is very keen to play."
That game gets under way at 10.45am at Cambusdoon.
