IRELAND BEAT THE WEST INDIES AT SABINA PARK IN T20 FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER

 

WEST INDIES 116/8 - IRELAND  117/4  

 

Ed Joyce steers Ireland home to famous win over the West Indies at Sabina Park in Jamaica.

 

There was a sense of history repeating itself this evening at Sabina Park in Jamaica, as Ireland returned to the scene of their most famous victory of all, the St. Patrick’s Day victory against Pakistan at the 2007 World Cup to score another famous win in the Caribbean.

The six wicket success over the reigning ICC World Twenty20 Champions, the West Indies, on their own turf was built around a superb effort from Ireland in the field and an ice-cool innings of 40 not out from the veteran Irish left-hander Ed Joyce.

The West Indian Captain Darren Sammy had won the toss and had no hesitation in choosing to bat first and unleash his powerful batting line-up against Ireland’s bowling attack.
It did look at first like it would be a big total that Ireland would be faced with, as the powerful Dwayne Smith and Chris Gayle got the hosts off to a good start.
A pair of huge sixes from Smith got the West Indian innings in motion and after two overs of Paul Stirling’s off-spin at the start of the innings it was Tim Murtagh who came on to make the breakthrough as he had Smith caught in the deep by Sorensen.

Irish captain, William Porterfield rotated his bowlers nicely and it was Clontarf’s Alex Cusack who claimed the key wicket of the big hitter Chris Gayle for 18. The two early wickets stemmed the run-rate and as Ireland looked to contain the West Indian batsmen, the locals’ frustration was audible, the West Indies crawled to 58 for 2 at the half-way stage of their innings.

A crucial point of the match came with the introduction of George Dockrell’s left-arm spin as Marlon Samuels ran out of patience, the Man of the Match in the World Twenty20 Final in 2012 that helped see the West Indies be crowned World Champions, came down the wicket and was stumped by Gary Wilson. Dockrell wheeled through his 4 overs consecutively then to claim the superb figures of 1 for 15 and Ireland sensed an opportunity.

With the run-rate not increasing for the hosts, a flurry of late wickets fell, with Kevin O’Brien taking two wickets in an over to finish with 2 for 15 whilst Tim Murtagh removed the dangerous Andre Russell with a beautiful yorker to finish with 2 for 28. They were well supported by Alex Cusack who bowled particularly well at the death for Ireland as he bowled his 4 overs for just 17 runs and claimed the wicket of Lendl Simmons to go alongside that of Chris Gayle; and also by Max Sorensen who was the other wicket taker for Ireland with 1 for 23 from his 4 overs.

Ireland restricted the West Indies to 116 for 8 from their 20 overs and they needed less than 6 runs an over to topple the hosts. Ireland’s chase began in the most auspicious of circumstances as they lost both openers within the first two overs, captain William Porterfield was adjudged LBW to Samuel Badree for 4 in the first over before Paul Stirling smashed a ball right to the deep wicket fence only to be caught by Andre Russell off the bowling of Ravi Rampaul for a duck.

The Boys in Green couldn’t have looked for two calmer heads at the crease than the experienced pairing of Ed Joyce and Gary Wilson. The Surrey ‘keeper-batsman Wilson looked particularly fluent for his 18 until he was tempted into going for the big hit off Badree and was bowled. That brought Clontarf’s Andrew Poynter to the crease and although he was watchful at first, he combined well with Joyce in a 58 run partnership that brought victory within sight for Ireland.

Poynter was particularly strong against the West Indian captain Darren Sammy as he smashed him out of the attack with 10 runs off 4 balls in the 13th over. Crucially the required run-rate never got out of hand for the Irish batsmen and was kept in and around a run a ball; Joyce knew that with wickets in hand this was very achievable.

After the fall of Poynter for 32 from 30 balls, Joyce was joined by Kevin O’Brien with just 22 needed to win and plenty of time to do so. There were a few nerves at first from O’Brien but a pair of boundaries from him at just the right times played the perfect foil to a majestic innings from Ed Joyce.

And so it was left to Kevin O’Brien, one of only two survivors from the team that beat Pakistan back on St. Patrick’s Day in 2007 to hit the winning runs for Ireland but tellingly unlike 7 years ago there were no wild celebrations from the Irish but more a determined delight with a view to the further challenges ahead.

An opportunity for a first-ever series win over a Full Member Nation awaits Ireland on Friday evening at the same venue, before a one-off ODI also at Sabina Park on Sunday. In the back of Phil Simmons mind though, will be the focus on the ICC World Twenty20 next month in Bangladesh, which ironically for the Irish starts on St. Patrick’s Day again, with a must win game against Zimbabwe.

The day belonged to Joyce however and the Sussex Captain was fittingly named Man of the Match for his classy 40 not out made in the most elegant of manners off 49 balls with just two fours. He controlled and paced his innings and the Irish chase perfectly, and on the occasion of his 99th cap for his country the 35 year-old Bray native may have just played one of his most memorable innings of his Irish career. Seven years on from that famous St. Patrick’s Day in Sabina Park, the Irish will celebrate in the Jamaican Capital again.

(c)Cricket Ireland

 

IRELAND'S HEART-BREAKING LOSS TO NEW ZEALAND

Aaron Cruden's second attempt at an overtime conversion put an end to Ireland's best-ever chance of a first victory over New Zealand, and made professional-era history for the All Blacks as they recorded a 24-22 win.

 

                    

Ryan Crotty's last-gasp try locked the scores at 22-22 with the conversion to come and Chiefs fly-half Cruden fluffed it the first attempt, only to be handed a dramatic reprieve.
Ireland flew off their line before Cruden had started his run-up, referee Nigel Owens ordered a retake: and the Kiwi playmaker delivered to spoil an otherwise-impressive Irish performance.
Ireland blitzed a stunned New Zealand with three tries in 17 minutes; Conor Murray, Rory Best and Rob Kearney crossing in a superlative opening salvo.
But the world champions refused to buckle, wing Julian Savea and prop Ben Franks notching tries to turn the tide.
Leading by just five points, Ireland attempted to play out the clock in the final minute - only to concede a cheap ruck penalty.
New Zealand launched a trademark quick-flash attack, and after fine work from Kieran Read, Ma'a Nonu and Cruden, Crotty sneaked into the left corner to shatter Irish dreams of a first victory over the All Blacks at the 28th attempt.
Ireland had led the All Blacks 21-7 after 43 minutes in Dublin in 2001: New Zealand won 40-29 that day in Dublin.
Agonisingly that pattern was repeated, and now Brian O'Driscoll will never beat the All Blacks.
Paul O'Connell labelled this Ireland's best-ever chance to beat New Zealand in mid-week, and so it proved.
The thunderclap of three first-quarter tries shook the All Blacks to their very core.
The grit so lacking from Ireland in 32-15 Australia defeat last week was immediately clear from the off.
A stub-grubber from O'Driscoll forced New Zealand into a knock on in their own 22.
Dave Kearney cut in off his wing, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip and Sean O'Brien punched tight-drive holes - and half-back Murray pounced to open the scoring.
Leinster's bullocking prop Healy then bust the line again, sending hooker Best through the gap.
O'Brien followed suit to find Murray, and Ireland were scenting the whitewash again - more quick ball allowed Best to dummy a pass and wriggle home for the home side's second try.

Try-scorer Best was forced to trudge off with a shoulder injury with less than 15 minutes on the clock though, Sean Cronin joining the fray in his stead.
Dogged Ireland sustained the pressure though, and when Israel Dagg failed to hold Cruden's pass, Kearney pounced.
None of the New Zealand cover could catch the full-back, who raced clear to register his eighth international score.
Fly-half Aaron Cruden's clever cross-field chip set wing Savea free, and the arch finisher cut home for his third try in two weeks.
Undeterred, Ireland pressed on again, and quickly set camp in the All Blacks' 22.
Sexton then slotted a penalty after New Zealand turned in at the scrum, to extend the home lead to 22-7 at the break.
New Zealand built consistent pressure after half-time, taking a scrum from a kickable penalty - but Tommy Bowe intercepted Ma'a Nonu's pass to allow brief respite.
Cruden sent a second goal-worthy penalty to the corner for a line-out, only for Devin Toner to produce a first-class steal at the tail.
New Zealand wrapped up Ireland's ruck though, winning a scrum in the home 22.
Savea came in off his wing to pinch the Irish defence, before full-back Dagg hurtled across the tryline.
English Television Match Official Graham Hughes was called to adjudicate by Welsh referee Nigel Owens.
And Hughes chalked it off, much to the visitors' surprise.
New Zealand came again from their five-metre scrum, Murray stripped Ben Smith to give Ireland the steal - only for Toner to be penalised for obstruction.
Cruden slotted the goal to cut Ireland's lead to 12, before O'Driscoll was withdrawn through injury, replaced by Luke Fitzgerald.
The Kiwi out-half failed with another penalty strike minutes later though.
Read's mistimed tackle took Kearney out in mid-air, gifting Ireland a penalty and chance to clear from their own 22.
Sexton's weak clearance and Bowe's missed tackle on Savea handed the initiative straight back to New Zealand though.
Quick hands from Read, a half-break from Ben Smith and New Zealand were within whitewash range again - and a bloodied Ben Franks barrelled over for the All Blacks' second converted try.
Ireland's lead cut to five paltry points, New Zealand's stubborn will set up a fraught finale.
Ireland launched another strong maul, forcing a penalty deep in the Kiwis' 22.
Sexton could not extend Ireland's lead to eight though, striking wide of the right-hand post.
New Zealand inevitably pressed again, but Nonu's loose knock on and Cruden's ill-judged chip let Ireland off the hook.
Ireland failed to drive tight phases to the conclusion, conceding a soft ruck penalty.
New Zealand launched one final attack, Read, Ben Smith and Nonu prevalent: before Ryan Crotty nipped home in the left corner.
TMO Hughes was brought into play to make the ruling, and after several minutes' discussion the try was awarded.
Cruden failed with the conversion attempt - but Ireland raced off their line before the fly-half started his run-up.
Referee Owens gave the All Blacks stand-off another chance for the extra points.
He made no mistake second time around, notching New Zealand's place in history, but breaking Irish hearts in the process.

 

IRELAND'S WORLD CUP CAMPAIGN ENDS WITH A WIN

Ireland’s last home international, the defeat against Sweden, petered out in an series of aimless punts so it was refreshing to see a team determined to get the ball down and pass it around.

Kazakhstan’s defensive tactics gave them plenty of time and space in possession as the visitors sat off, packing out the area in front of their goal instead. It gave Ireland ample opportunity to move the ball out of defence with the back four, James McCarthy and Darron Gibson (later Glenn Whelan) all linking well.

McCarthy in particular seemed to thrive given the opportunity to put his stamp on the game and while not perfect, this was another night where the youngster grew in international confidence.

Apart from some hurried clearances from David Forde, there were few long balls out from the back. When Richard Dunne did try one early in the second half, it seemed to catch the Kazakh defence off guard and very nearly led to a goal for Robbie Keane.

… but there was a worrying lack of cutting edge

For all of their dominance in possession, Ireland created very few clear-cut chances to trouble Sidelnikov beyond the three goals. Noel King’s decision to go with Anthony Stokes and Kevin Doyle at the expense of more recognised wingers led to a narrowness in attack that played into Kazakhstan’s hands.

Seamus Coleman did his best to push on in support and was Ireland’s best wide outlet for long periods but on the other side, Marc Wilson was much more conservative. Stokes grew into the game in the second half but lacked end product, often turning back onto his stronger right foot which cost him valuable seconds and allowed the Kazakhs to regroup.

It wasn’t until Aiden McGeady’s introduction in the final 15 minutes that Ireland had a true “winger” on the pitch. Within minutes he had created Ireland’s third goal, turned into his own net by Shomko.

Andy Reid shone — despite a lack of support

For most observers, it was a toss-up between Andy Reid and James McCarthy for Ireland’s Man of the Match. Winning his first international cap since 2008, Reid carried over his excellent club form and proved that he still has plenty to offer this squad at the age of 31.

Playing just in behind Keane as the central man in a 4-2-3-1, Reid was the lively link in most of Ireland’s best moves. There were a few loose passes but he showed good touch and control for the most part, keeping the team on the front foot. On top of that, his set piece delivery led to Ireland’s first two goals.

“Immense” was King’s assessment afterwards and the sparse Aviva crowd clearly agreed, giving him a warm reception when he was taken off with 15 minutes to play.

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