Scots slump to heavy loss against Irish in IC Cup
Crucial matches v Kenya still to come
By Scotland’s miserable Intercontinental Cup campaign ended with a heavy defeat to Ireland at the Dubai International Stadium yesterday.
The Scots went into the fourday clash seeking a first win and bidding to make a point against their oldest cricketing foes in the first clash between the sides since the Irish were awarded Test status.
However, Kyle Coetzer’s men failed even to take the match into the final day as their rivals completed an easy 203-run win.
Chasing an improbable 382 for victory, Scotland were soon in bother as openers Coetzer and George Munsey fell cheaply.
There was a little more resistance from the middle order than in the first innings when they slumped to 141 all out, but the major partnership required to stall Ireland’s seam attack eluded the Scots. Calum Macleod made a dogged 72-ball 33 before misreading a delivery from Peter Chase and losing his off stump.
Michael Leask opted for a more attacking approach in matching Macleod’s score from just 28 balls with four boundaries and a maximum.
Mark Watt went on to topscore with 43 before being last man out having stroked five boundaries and a six.
However, four wickets from Chase and three from Tim Murtagh saw the Scots dismissed for a disappointing 178.
Earlier Stuart Whittingham had claimed his first international five-wicket haul but Simi Singh’s 59 and 40 from George Dockrell helped Ireland post 271 in their second innings to take the match away from the Scots.
Scotland must pick themselves up quickly for two crucial World Cricket League fixtures with Kenya on Wednesday and Friday.