CRICKET: MCC enjoyed much the better of a rain shortened opening day of their three-day game against Ireland at the Mardyke yesterday.
The first international in Cork for 28 years started two hours late and play finished 50 minutes early but MCC still scored at more than 3½ runs an over to total 223 for 4.
Surrey batsman David Ward, the MCC captain, hit 97 from 145 balls with four sixes and 12 fours and shared stands of 74, for the first wicket with ex-Derbyshire player, Tom Harrison, whose 46 was scored at a run a ball, and 98 for the second with Mark Cowell.
Former Yorkshire captain Neill Hartley was still undefeated at the close with power to add when play resumes, if he gets the chance. Further rain this morning could force Ward into an earlier than planned declaration.
Conor Armstrong was the pick of the Ireland bowlers, he dismissed Ward with the first ball of the second spell but until captain Kyle McCallam struck with the last ball of the day, Jordan McGonigle, the slow left armer from Donemana was the only other successful bowler.
MCC - First Innings:
D Ward b Armstrong 97
T Harrison b McGonigle 46
M Cowell c Sub (Power) b McGonigle 55
N Hartley not out 20
D Waugh lbw b McCallon 0
R Lynch not out 0
Extras 5
Total 4 wickets, 63 overs 223
To bat: L Boater, A Fraser, P Such, G Prince, M Harrison, Fall of wickets; 1-74, 2-172, 3=211, 4-223. Bowling: P Mooney, 9-2,-47,0. G Neely 10-0-49-0. C Armstrong 8-3-17-1. J McGonigle 12-3-37-1. K McCallan 17-5-45-1. A White 3-1-6-0. D Joyce 4-0-18-0.
Ireland: A White N O'Brien, D Joyce, P Gillespie, K McCallan, J Mooney, D Kennedy, C Armstrong, P Mooney, G Neely, J McGonigle.
Umpires: P White, S Daltry, Today 11 a.m. - 6.30 p.m.
