Cricket: Ireland put the disappointment of their loss to Afghanistan behind them today as they moved within one win of a place in the 2011 World Cup with a ruthless eight-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates in Johannesburg.
The UAE never recovered from losing their top three batsmen for just three runs as opening bowlers Boyd Rankin and Peter Connell struck early.
A defiant innings of 63 from Fayyaz Ahmed helped the UAE into three figures, with all five of Ireland’s bowlers taking wickets. Left-arm spinner Regan West eventually accounted for Ahmed to end the innings on 133 with over 10 overs remaining.
West would finish with three wickets for 39, while Rankin, Connell and Trent Johnston claimed two apiece.
Ireland made short work of their chase, with William Porterfield and Gary Wilson putting on 83 for the first wicket. Both would give up their wickets; Porterfield trapped leg-before for 37 and Wilson agonisingly when he needed just a single to win the game and bring up his own half-century.
It was left to Eoin Morgan to hit the winning run in the 28th over as he finished unbeaten on 30, which included two sixes and three fours.
Ireland face the Netherlands in their penultimate Super Eights clash on Wednesday, knowing a win will secure one of the four spots available in the next World Cup.
They are boosted by the fact that the Dutch will be missing talented all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate, who is returning to Essex for the start of the County Championship season.
SCORES
UAE133 (39.5 ovs) (F Ahmed 63; R West 3-39, P Connell 2-19, T Johnston 2-28, B Rankin 2-33)
Ireland134-2 (27.4 ovs) (G Wilson 49, W Porterfield 37, E Morgan 30no).
Ireland won by 8 wickets
