News

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe – A gutsy maiden ODI century by Curtis Campher wasn’t enough as Ireland Men fell to a last-ball, one-wicket loss to Scotland at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier today.

Looking odds-on to win with ease with 10 overs left in the run-chase, Ireland’s bowlers couldn’t rein in the batting of the lower-order pair of Michael Leask (91*) and Mark Watt (47) who put on 82 for the 8th wicket. While Watt fell, Leask shepherded through the tailenders and saw Scotland through to a one-wicket, last-ball win.

Earlier in the day, Ireland’s top order failed to fire and it fell to a Curtis Campher-George Dockrell partnership to save the Irish innings and post a competitive score. Their 136-run stand came from 150 balls and rescued their side from a precarious position of 70-5 in the 19th over.

Campher started watchfully as he entered the fray with his side languishing at 33-4. He built a steadying partnership of 37 with Andy McBrine (32) before Dockrell joined him at the crease. Dockrell looked the more aggressive of the two, however, Campher was busy, working the ball and running hard – routinely turning ones into twos, and putting pressure on the fielders.

After Campher and Dockrell both brought up their half-centuries they began to up the run rate. Campher began to regularly find the boundary – and struck four maximums over the boundary – as he accelerated through the gears. His pull shot for six, followed by consecutive boundaries off Safyaan Sharif in the 43rd over signalled his intent to finish with a flourish. His first 50 runs took 68 balls, but his second 50 only took 31 balls, bringing up his first ODI century with a boundary behind square.

The loss of Dockrell for 69 did not see the run rate abate – Campher and Gareth Delany (19) combining for a quickfire 50-run partnership in just over four overs. Campher finally fell for 120 from the penultimate ball of the innings, Josh Little powered the last ball for four down the ground, and Ireland went into the break with a highly competitive 286-8.

Ireland started well with the ball, Adair removing Matthew Cross (4) in the second over. Adair soon had two wickets before Campher, never far from the action in this match, made two incisive interventions – first he trapped Chris McBride (56) in front then took a deflected catch at short third man. Four wickets fell for 32 runs, reducing Scotland to 122-6 in the 28th over.

When Watt strode to the crease Scotland was 152-7, needing 135 runs in 16 overs – in the end it came down to the last ball with Leask under-edging a boundary past wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker’s outstretched left hand.

Ireland now has three days break until they face Sri Lanka on Sunday. While Ireland still maintains a chance of qualification, they will require favourable results elsewhere to achieve their goal.

MATCH SUMMARY

Ireland Men v Scotland Men, ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, Bulawayo, 21 June 2023

Ireland 286-8 (50 overs: C Campher 120, G Dockrell 69; B McMullen 5-34)
Scotland 289-9 (50 overs; M Leask, C McBride 56; M Adair 3-57)

Scotland won by 1 wicket

See full scorecard