McCollum stakes claim for call-up in Wolves’ loss to Scots

JAMES McCollum’s superb 170 could not prevent an Ireland Wolves defeat in the first of their three games against Scotland A in Dundee yesterday.

The Waringstown opener’s career best senior score dominated a Wolves total of 301, but when he was out — with the Irish requiring 74 from 55 balls — the last five wickets could add only 27 runs as they were dismissed by four different bowlers in 6.2 overs.

But McCollum has staked an early claim for promotion to the senior side after hitting 27 fours and a six in his 133-ball innings.

As long as he was there, Ireland were on course for a sensational victory, but the next best score was 33, and of the rest only skipper Harry Tector made more than 10.

The Scots had won the game with a powerful batting display against a curate’s egg of a bowling performance.

Craig Young, with two wickets in his last over, ended as the most successful, but his 10 overs went for 85 runs, while Shane Getkate topped that by an extra five runs from his full quota.

Tyrone Kane (1-36) had only eight overs, Andy McBrine (0-31) six and the captain left himself one short despite figures of 2-39.

An opening stand of 155 in 27 overs laid the foundation for Scotland’s impressive 347, with the experienced Michael Leask scoring 80 from just 46 balls (nine fours and three sixes).

The teams play a second 50over game today.

Meanwhile, Ciara Metcalfe took her 100th wicket for Ireland as they eased into the semi-finals of the Women’s World Twenty20 qualifying tournament.

They play Papua New Guinea tomorrow.

The Irish bowlers — Metcalfe had 20 dot balls in her 24 deliveries — were much too good for Uganda yesterday, restricting them to 78-8 in their final group game and, for the third match in a row, Clare Shillington top scored as Ireland won by eight wickets with eight overs to spare.

Victory tomorrow will confirm their place in the Women’s World Twenty20 to be held in November in the West Indies.

Scores: Scotland A 347-9 (50 overs, M English 100, M Leask 80, O Shah 78; C Young 3-85, H Tector 2-39) Ireland Wolves 301 (47.1 overs, J McCollum 170, A McBrine 33, H Tector 27; M Watt 3-52, M Leask 3-55). Scotland A won by 46 runs. Amstelveen: Uganda Women 78-8 (20 overs; C Metcalfe 3-8, E Richardson 2-19) Ireland Women 79-2 (12.1 overs; C Shillington 27). Ireland won by 8 wickets.