Sport

Ireland beat Bangladesh in final World Cup warm-up

Andrew Balbirnie stars with the bat as Ireland win by four wickets at Blacktown Oval

Andrew Balbirnie anchored Ireland’s innings as they chase down 190 to beat Bangladesh in their final World Cup warm-up match at Blacktown Oval. (Photograph: Inpho/Barry Chambers)
Andrew Balbirnie anchored Ireland’s innings as they chase down 190 to beat Bangladesh in their final World Cup warm-up match at Blacktown Oval. (Photograph: Inpho/Barry Chambers)
Thu Feb 12 2015 - 08:58

Ireland finished their World Cup preparation in style as they beat Bangladesh by four wickets in their final warm-up match at Blacktown Oval on Thursday.

After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, Max Sorensen (3-31) and John Mooney (3-32) took three wickets apiece as Bangladesh were dismissed for 189 in 48.2 overs.

Ed Joyce hit 47 to give Ireland a good platform before Andrew Balbirnie (63 not out) and Kevin O'Brien (23) teamed up for a sixth-wicket partnership of 41 to take them to the brink of victory.

After O’Brien was caught behind off Taskin Ahmed, Mooney returned with his bat to add two runs and help Balbirnie steer the side past their target with just over four overs to spare.

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Bangladesh, who open their campaign against Afghanistan next Wednesday, never really managed to get their innings going and Soumya Sarkar was their top scorer with 45 from 51 balls.

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam was the pick of their bowlers with two for 29 including the dismissal of Joyce, but an Irish victory never really looked in doubt.

Ireland's opening World Cup opponents the West Indies scraped to a three run win over Scotland in their final warm-up game at the SCG.

Thrashed by England at the same ground in their first warm-up on Monday, the twice world champions needed a flurry of late wickets to restrict the Scots to 310 for nine in reply to the 313 for eight they posted in their 50 overs.

Opener Kyle Coetzer scored a fine 96 to fire the run-chase and Richie Berrington chipped in with 66 but the Scots could not quite find the partnership they needed at the bottom of the order to secure the victory.