Sport

Andrew Balbirnie’s maiden century helps Ireland secure victory

Niall O’Brien also impresses with bat against strong New Zealand ‘A’ side

Andrew Balbirnie made his first international century in Ireland’s four-wicket victory over New Zealand ‘A’ side in Dubai. Photograph: Rowland White/Inpho/Presseye
Andrew Balbirnie made his first international century in Ireland’s four-wicket victory over New Zealand ‘A’ side in Dubai. Photograph: Rowland White/Inpho/Presseye
Sat Nov 29 2014 - 14:54

Andrew Balbirnie’s maiden hundred for Ireland led his team to a well deserved four-wicket win against a strong New Zealand ‘A’ side at the ICC Global Cricket Academy in Dubai.

The Middlesex man was at his positive best, continuing his impressive form shown on the recent acclimatisation tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Balbirnie stroked 21 fours and two sixes in his innings of 129 from just 96 deliveries, having reached his landmark century from just 70 deliveries.

He shared a second-wicket stand of 133 in just 103 balls with an almost equally impressive Niall O’Brien.

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The Leicestershire wicketkeeper-batsman hit 68 from 67 balls (10 fours, one six), and was content to play second fiddle to Balbirnie, having dominated his opening stand of 33 with skipper William Porterfield (two).

Balbirnie’s dismissal sparked a mini collapse in the Irish ranks, as they lost three wickets for just two runs, going from 231 for three to 235 for six in their pursuit of 253 for victory.

Vice-captain Kevin O'Brien (22 not out) showed all his experience in tandem with Alex Cusack to guide Ireland over the finishing line for a morale-boosting win.

Earlier O'Brien (four for 39) had been the star of the show with the ball for Ireland, as New Zealand faltered to 121 for four, after Anton Devcich (61) and Martin Guptill (41) had shared an opening stand of 101 in 19 overs.

Colin Munro (50), Nathan McCullum (38) and Hamish Rutherford (28) kept the New Zealand innings on track at 222 for five, but a further late collapse saw the last five wickets add just 30 runs in the final six overs.

Craig Young (two for 52) and John Mooney (two for 58) also impressed in a disciplined Irish bowling performance, which ensured their target was always within reach.

The teams meet again in Dubai on Monday.

At ICC Global Cricket Academy, Dubai

New Zealand A 252 (49.1 ovs) (A Devcich 61, C Munro 50, M Guptill 41, N McCullum 38, H Rutherford 28; K O'Brien 4-39, C Young 2-51, J Mooney 2-58).

Ireland 253-6 (43.5 ovs) (A Balbirnie 129, N O'Brien 68, K O'Brien 22no; N McCullum 2-26, AMilne 2-55).

Ireland beat New Zealand A by four wickets