Stirling sets the tone as Ireland beat Oman

PAUL STIRLING led from the front with a hard-hitting top score of 71 including 11 fours and a six from 51 balls as Ireland opened their T20 quadrangle tournament with a 15-run victory over hosts Oman in Muscat yesterday

Ireland were cruising on 122-1 after 14 overs but could only get to 159-5 as Oman battled back. Simi Singh then took three wickets in an over to restrict Oman to 144-9 in reply.

Elsewhere, West Indies bowler Shannon Gabriel has been banned for the first four games of the one-day series against England after accepting a code of conduct charge over an exchange with Joe Root during the third Test.