Sport

Joyce and Porterfield put Ireland in control in Windhoek

Joyce completes back to back double centuries while Porterfield makes 13th Irish ton

Ireland batsman Ed Joyce completed back-to-back Intercontinental Cup double centuries in the first innings against Namibia in Windhoek. Photograph: Barry Chambers/Inpho
Ireland batsman Ed Joyce completed back-to-back Intercontinental Cup double centuries in the first innings against Namibia in Windhoek. Photograph: Barry Chambers/Inpho
Sun Oct 25 2015 - 16:09

Ed Joyce and William Porterfield both scored centuries as Ireland completely dominated the second day of their Intercontinental Cup clash with Namibia in Windhoek.

The pair shared a second wicket partnership of 326 in 404 balls – the second biggest in Irish history – with Joyce recording back-to-back double hundreds in the competition after his Irish record 231 against the UAE in Malahide back in June.

Ireland got their morning off to the perfect start with Craig Young dismissing Chris Coombe for 34 to end a stubborn last-wicket stand of 49 with the seventh ball of the day.

Paul Stirling (15) hit three boundaries before edging Coombe behind with the total of 35, to give Namibia early hope. That hope was soon extinguished by a batting masterclass from left-handers Joyce and Porterfield.

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The pair were rarely troubled throughout their massive partnership, with boundaries coming with increasing regularity.

Joyce reached his seventh hundred for Ireland from 124 balls (14 fours, two sixes), and accelerated taking just another 74 deliveries to reach 200 (25 fours, six sixes), striking one more boundary before being caught on the long-on boundary for 205.

No fewer than 140 of his 205 runs came in boundaries in an innings which will live long in the memory.

The total at that stage was 361 for two, but as so often happens following such a lengthy partnership, Niall O'Brien perished first ball, edging Sarel Burger behind to Zane Green.

Skipper Porterfield reached his 13th century for Ireland – another record– from 174 balls (15 fours, one six). He finished the day unbeaten on 153 striking many of his 17 boundaries with trademark drives through extra cover.

He and Gary Wilson (22 not out) have so far added for the fourth wicket to take Ireland's first innings lead to 151.

The Irish have already secured six points by virtue of the first-innings lead, and will be keen on day three to extend that lead to around 300 before a mid-afternoon declaration.

ICC INTERCONTINENTAL CUP

(at Windhoek Country Club): Day 2 of 4: Namibia 251 (97.1 ovs) (JP Kotze 78, C Coombe 35; T Murtagh 2-44, G Dockrell 2-50, J Mooney 2-55, C Young 2-63), Ireland 402-3 (92 ovs) (E Joyce 205, W Porterfield 153no, G Wilson 22no).