Hyderabad: The Indians kept a spirited Irish team at bay, dampening their initial spurt of clinical performances, restricting them to 259 in their stipulated 50 overs at Hamilton on Tuesday.
Porterfield (67), Stirling (42), NJ O’Brien (75) starred for the Irish team, while Mohammad Shami with his 3 wickets was the pick of the bowlers for the Indians.Â
As India locked horns with Ireland, no one realised that this became one of the much-anticipated clashes of the World Cup. Why, you ask? It’s because the Indians are unbeaten so far and the Irish team has pulled off a few upsets too many. Having the ability to both defend and chase, it didn’t look like one of those ‘take it easy’ encounters for the sub-continental giants.
The match began with the Irish team winning the toss and having no hesitation in batting first. PR Stirling and Porterfield began the proceedings for them as they raced to 60/0 in the first 10 overs.
The runs kept coming thick and fast with Stirling switching to attacking mode, taking a liking to Jadeja in particular. But then, the 15th over saw Ashwin pull it back, scalping dangerman Stirling for 42, taking the score to 89/1.
Joyce was the new man in, but he was caught wanting, when Raina claimed him for 2 in the 18th over. bringing NJ O’Brien in. At the end of 20 overs, the score was 96/2. The duo continued playing well, taking the scoreboard to 113/2 in 25 overs, as Porterfield notched up his half-century.
They continued irritating the Indian bowlers getting to 142/2 in 30 overs. Porterfield was finally sent back by Mohit Sharma for 67 in the 32nd over, bringing in Balbirnie, and he lasted till the 39th over, before Ashwin sent him back for 24.
New man KJ O’Brien played a blink and miss innings, removed by Shami for 1 in the 40th over, the score now 212/5 in 40. the wickets began to tumble, Wilson being the next one, taken by Jadeja for 6, Thompson being run out for 2 in the 43rd over, Dockrell falling for 6, removed by Yadav in the 46th.
The score was 253/9 in 48 overs. Cusack was the last wicket to fall, done in by Mohammad Shami for 11, wrapping up the Irish innings at 259.