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Dublin: Despite a late wobble, Ireland eased to a largely comfortable three-wicket victory over Scotland in the second One-Day International at Malahide to win the three-match series 2-0 on Wednesday (September 10) with one game left to play.
The victory came despite the best efforts of Richie Berrington, who scored an unbeaten 126-ball 101, including eight fours and a six, to help Scotland put up 221 in 49.5 overs after it was asked to bat.
The pacers did most of the damage for Ireland, Max Sorensen ripping through the Scottish line-up with his right-arm fast-medium to return 4 for 40. He was aided by Craig Young, who finished with 3 for 39 to back up his 5 for 46 in the first ODI on Monday.
Ireland then rode on the back of Kevin O’Brien’s half-century and supporting acts from Stuart Thompson and John Mooney to complete their chase in 44.2 overs.
Scotland was reduced to 11 for 3 within three overs after Sorensen’s opening burst yielded the wickets of Matty Cross (4), Calum MacLeod (4) and Preston Mommsen (3). It was then that Berrington arrived in the middle and sealed one end up. He put on 29 with Hamish Gardiner for the fourth wicket, but wickets kept falling as Scotland was reduced to 48 for 5.
John Davey then provided Berrington some support, and the two put on 84 for the sixth wicket to boost the total to 132. However, the stand was broken when Young sent back Davey (40) for his second wicket, having dismissed Gardiner earlier, and that set off another slide.
All along, Berrington kept picking up runs to boost the total, with Alasdair Evans, the No. 9 batsman, providing a late flourish with a 24-ball 22.
As good as Berrington’s efforts were, it was no match for Ireland’s combined assault. Scotland was given a glimpse of an opening when Davey had Andy Balbirnie and John Anderson, the openers, caught behind and Ireland was reduced to 35 for 2. But Andrew Poynter and O’Brien added 68 for the third wicket, followed by an association of 54 for the fourth wicket between Thompson and O’Brien.
The partnerships put Ireland firmly on the front foot. O’Brien was dismissed by Evans for a 65-ball 67, including nine fours, and that combined with three further wickets in quick succession – Stuart Poynter (8), Thompson (39) and Andrew White (1) – might have heightened Scotland’s hopes. But Mooney’s 29-ball 27, including six fours, helped see through the chase without further wobbles.
The third ODI will be played at the same venue on Friday.
Brief scores
Scotland - 221 (Berrington 101, Sorensen 4-40, Young 3-39)
Ireland - 225 for 7 (O'Brien 67)
Result - Ireland won by three wickets
