Cricket Ireland v Surrey: A series of downpours failed to dampen Ireland's spirits as they managed to restrict 2002 County Champions Surrey to 261 all out at Castle Avenue, Clontarf, yesterday.
Ireland inserted the visitors on a damp wicket at Castle Avenue against a Surrey side made up of international stars past and present.
Australian-born quick bowler Trent Johnston had a good debut for Ireland, taking his first wicket with an away swinger which enticed Surrey skipper Jonathan Batty, on eight, to edge to wicket-keeper Jonathan Bushe.
Mark Ramprakash set up a good partnership with Ali Brown who raced to 50 with a huge six over deep square leg in an erratic opening over from Andre Botha who settled into a steady groove to end with good figures of 9.5-0-48-3. The former England internationals put on 55 before Brown, on 67, launched Gerald Dros into the hands of Eoin Morgan at long on in a near identical catch to one secured later in the innings to dismiss Martin Bicknell, off Botha.
Adam Hollioake joined Ramprakash at the crease and Ireland's task appeared bleak. But Ramprakash teed a Kyle McCallan off-break back to the Cliftonville star and two wickets to Andrew White and McCallan with the score on 194 put paid to Surrey's advances before the third rain delay. White took the wickets of Azhar Mahmood (13) and Ian Salisbury (4) from the restart to end with figures of 3-43 from 10 overs - with Botha nicking the wickets of Saqlain Mushtaq and Martin Bicknell - as Surrey went to 261 all out from 49.5 overs. Play resumes at 10.45 today.
