U-19 CricketAfter coming to within four runs of beating England in a nailbiter the day before, Ireland were unable to repeat that performance yesterday, losing by 60 runs in a much less glamorous fixture against supposed minnows Nepal. The Irish are now consigned to the bottom of Group D and take their place in the plate competition, with a game against either Pakistan or New Zealand next Tuesday.
It is a disappointing end to a tour that promised so much and almost delivered on that promise. Had they found those four runs from somewhere on Wednesday to register what would have been a historic victory over England, then surely they would have put in a more determined and polished effort against the Nepalese.
There was something very flat about the overall display. The bowlers lacked the sort of precision and penetration they had the day before and the fielding was, at times, terrible.
Although Nepal have some good batters, particularly Kanishka Chaugai, once Ireland had got into them, they should have strangled them out for at least 50 runs fewer than they conceded.
Nepal managed to get to 234 for 8 off 50 overs, with only Gary Kidd (2-32 off 10 overs) and Niall McDarby (3-43) bowling anything like they should.
When it came to bat, Eoin Morgan finally showed why he is touted as the next big thing, having had a quiet tournament by his standards. But those batting around him could not emulate him in hitting the gaps.
