Irish Cricket 2007

**TheBoss** · 10/08/2007, 3:02 PM

Why does the top of the order always collapse, the first 3 are all out now, there has to be a reshuffle in the batting order.

**TheBoss** · 10/08/2007, 3:23 PM

Only 61/4, K O'Brien the victim this time
Botha in now

**TheBoss** · 10/08/2007, 3:55 PM

Rain stopped play - 21.3 Overs - 94/4 - RR: 4.37

N O'Brien - 39 off 37
A Botha - 12 off 17

ALSO: India 622/9, all batters have reached double figures, a rare sighting.

**Sheridan** · 10/08/2007, 5:04 PM

Hundred partnership up between Botha and O'Brien. 159/4. 69 to N'OB, 47 to Botha.

**Sheridan** · 10/08/2007, 6:12 PM

Ireland reached 179/4 at close of play. Niall O'Brien 83*, Andr� Botha 54*. Two days' play remain, with Ireland 135 runs behind.

**TheBoss** · 10/08/2007, 11:53 PM

Well, it was a great recovery by those 2. Maybe there is a still a good chance to win.

**Sheridan** · 11/08/2007, 1:54 PM

No play yet today due to overnight rain. This is looking like a drawn game with first innings lead the tiebreaker. Ireland need to get to 315 by hook or by crook.

**Sheridan** · 11/08/2007, 3:14 PM

No play possible today. Draw inevitable, Ireland's target is now to overtake Scotland's first innings score tomorrow.

**TheBoss** · 11/08/2007, 7:44 PM

How does the Bonus points work ?

**Sheridan** · 11/08/2007, 7:53 PM

I think it's six points for a first innings lead, retained regardless of final outcome. If eight hours or more are lost to rain, each side is awarded three points for the draw (over and above points from the first innings.)

**Sheridan** · 12/08/2007, 12:58 PM

Play resumed at 1.30 pm. Niall O'Brien was quickly dismissed, skying an attempted hook to point. Cusack in now, Ireland 194/5. Ireland trail by 120.

**Sheridan** · 12/08/2007, 1:58 PM

Ton up for Botha with a punch through the covers. 102 off 142. Dropped once and gave a couple of chances. Ireland 259/5, 57 shy of a first innings lead.

**Sheridan** · 12/08/2007, 2:42 PM

Cusack brings up his fifty with a clip for three and secures the first innings lead for Ireland. Ireland 326/5. Possibly time for a cheeky declaration?

**Sheridan** · 12/08/2007, 4:29 PM

Botha stumped for 186. Shame such a great servant of Irish cricket couldn't surpass Morgan's record. Ireland 434/6 now, Cusack brings up his hundred (in his first First Class innings) with a massive six. Pity the rain ruined this one, Ireland would have pummelled them.

**TheBoss** · 12/08/2007, 5:10 PM

Why doesn't Botha open with N O'Brien in future games ?

**Sheridan** · 12/08/2007, 5:20 PM

Match drawn with Ireland on 473/7 (Botha 186, Cusack 130.)

Botha is a specialist middle order batsman. He's a good player of swing so they've experimented with promoting him up the order but it didn't really work. Jason Molins could be in with a shout for the Bermuda game.