Ireland defeat Denmark by 99 runs

Ireland opened their European Division One campaign with a comprehensive 99 run win over Denmark in Glasgow. In a game played in overcast conditions, and on a lively pitch, it was the bowlers who were in control for most of the day.

Having been inserted by the Danes, Ireland debutant Kenny Carroll fell without scoring, as the opening slot continues to be something of a hoodoo. The Railway Union batsman, who has been in such prolific form domestically, survived one huge appeal for lbw to his first ball in international cricket, but wasn’t so fortunate when struck in front again just four balls later.

William Porterfield and Andre Botha added 57 for the second wicket, with both left handers playing some fine attacking shots all around the wicket. Botha played the shot of the day, a magnificent pull shot off Hansen which went out of the ground. He was looking in ominous form before edging Hansen behind to give Freddie Klokker the first of his five dismissals in the innings.

Niall O Brien, playing in his first game since last year’s Intercontinental Cup win, took the score to over the hundred mark, and at 102 for 2 in the 22^nd over, Ireland looked set for a score in the region of 280.

A middle order collapse altered that target drastically, as the Irish lost 7 wickets for 71 runs to leave them wobbling at 173 for 9. A last wicket stand of 36, between Dave Langford-Smith, 22 not out, and Paul Mooney, 12, took the Irish to 209 all out, with 29 deliveries unused.

18 year old Zeeshan Shah was best with the ball for Denmark, taking 3 for 45, while Thomas and Malcolm Hansen each picked up two wickets.

Any nerves about the result among the Irish contingent were quickly dispelled by the opening spells of skipper Trent Johnston, and Dave Langford-Smith. The pair reduced the Danes to 40 for 5 in the opening 10 overs, with star batsman Freddie Klokker falling to the first legitimate ball of Langford-Smith’s spell.

The Irish could even afford the luxury of two dropped chances in the slips, as Denmark struggled to cope with the Irish seamers. The only exception was Carsten Pedersen, who played some lovely cover drives, as he made 65 not out, in his side’s final score of 110 all out. He hit 8 boundaries and faced 85 balls, and that innings was enough to earn him the Man of the Match adjudication.

Irish coach Adrian Birrell was in an upbeat mood after the game, but realized that tougher tasks will lie ahead, “We got a great start and 280 looked to be out target. We totally lost it in the middle, but fortunately we bat all the way down. It wasn’t an easy pitch, and the overhead conditions were also very favourable to the bowlers. Having said that we didn’t do ourselves proud with some of our batting, and we need to look at shot selection.

Our opening bowlers, Trent (Johnston), and Langford-Smith , simply blew them away, and I was delighted by our aggression and intensity in the field. It was effectively game over after 10 overs, and I was very proud of the players attitude.”

Ireland now face Scotland in a pivotal clash today at Ayr, and Birrell was very coy about the possible team selection. “We will have a full squad of 15 to choose from in the ODI. Bray, White and Morgan are all flying in as we speak. Everyone is very keen to play, and it won’t be easy to choose.”

That game against Scotland gets under way at 10:45 am at Cambusdoon.