Ireland have started their pre-WCQ tour of South Africa in thumping style after defeating a combined Easterns/Northerns XI by 91 runs at Groenkloof Oval, Pretoria, South Africa. Paul Stirling’s belligerent konck of 156 runs from 103 deliveries led the way for Ireland, as they smashed 300+ on board to have a good batting work-out.
Ed Joyce (49) and Kevin O’Brien (60 n.o) also contributed towards the Irish total as they provided good support to Stirling en-route to his hundred and beyond, as Ireland piled up 332/8 in the reduced 44-overs a side contest.
Ernest Kemm (104) and Tumelo Bodibe (46) provided the perfect start to Easterns/Northerns XI innings, striking a 109-runs partnership for the opening wicket. However, Andy McBrine (4/41), Simi Singh (2/37) and Peter Chase (2/58) struck soon thereafter and did not let any major partnerships take place as the host’s got bowled out for 241 to lose the match by a big margin.
Ireland continue their build-up to ICC World Cup Qualifiers with three more matches (each against Netherlands, Scotland and Hong Kong), before heading to Zimbabwe.
