Scottish pride takes a beating as Irish prevail in Malahide

Scotland were brought crashing back to earth yesterday as Ireland raced to T20 victory at Malahide.

After Monday’s recordbreaking win against the Netherlands, the Scots went into their latest Tri-Series clash with high hopes of a rare win against their oldest cricketing foes.

But, after posting 193-7, they were powerless to prevent the Irish batsmen from powering their way to the target with four wickets and 14 balls to spare.

Openers Kevin O’Brien and Gareth Delany set the tone by posting 57 in just four overs before the former was caught by Hamza Tahir off Ali Evans.

But by then the home side had the momentum and they continued to punish the Scots.

Delany went on to make a rapid 52 from 28 balls while Andy Balbirnie top-scored with a commanding 64 from 32 deliveries including eight boundaries and three towering maximums.

Scotland refused to throw in the towel, claiming six wickets to stall the victory charge, Mark Watt the pick with 3-38.

Earlier Kyle Coetzer and George Munsey gave Scotland a solid start without producing the fireworks which had seen them make a record-breaking stand against Holland 24 hours earlier.

The pair raced to 33 inside four overs before Coetzer was bowled by Boyd Rankin.

Munsey reached 34 from 20 deliveries with six fours and a maximum before miscuing off Scott Thompson and when former England paceman Rankin removed Michael Leask, Scotland, on 58-3, needed repairs.

A partnership of 44 in just four overs between Richie Berrington and Calum MacLeod put them back on course before the former holed out for 20. However, MacLeod gained fine support from Oli Hairs, with whom he added a further 63 runs.

Hairs hit a 17-ball 26 before becoming Rankin’s third victim while MacLeod went on to topscore with 72.

Scotland are back in action tomorrow when they will bid to complete the double over the Dutch before concluding the series against Ireland on Friday.

Kyle Coetzer helped give Scotland a fine start at Malahide.