Match report Ireland v Scotland 2004 by Gerry Byrne

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Scorecard:

Ireland v Scotland

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DateLine: 16th December 2004

 

There were three changes for this match from the earlier Intercontinental Cup Match between Ireland and Holland. J.A.M.Molins (returning as captain), E.J.G.Morgan and P.J.K.Mooney replaced W.K.McCallan (on honeymoon), D.I.Joyce and J.F.Mooney.

 

Going into this game Ireland led Scotland in this tournament by 12½ points and a draw would have sufficed to win the European section of this tournament and see them go to Sharjah for the semi-finals in November. Scotland’s win, however, gave them 31 points to Ireland’s 13, and meant the final totals in the European section were:-
Scotland 48½
Ireland 43
Holland 27

 

Interesting to note that Scotland got more points from this game than Ireland did from their game against Holland even though Ireland won that by an Innings. This was because Ireland, through not having to bat in their second innings, got none of the bonus points available for their second innings. This indicates a weakness in the points system which may be looked at before the semi finals. In fairness it probably would not have meant Ireland would have won the section as if they got the full 6 points then Scotland, having won the game without having to get 300, should logically have got the same and therefore would still have finished 1½ points ahead of Ireland.

 

Traditionally Ireland played Scotland annually in a first class match. However, given the busier programme, particularly for Scotland playing in the Totesport League, this was in fact the first first class game between the sides since 2000. Scotland now lead Ireland 20 to 19 in the first class series.

 

Watts’ century was the first for Scotland in the three-day series since 1996. In that year two Scottish batsmen scored 100’s at Linlithgow – G.Salmond 181 and I.L.Philip 116*

 

Scottish 3rd wicket partnership was a record against Ireland in first class cricket.

 

At the close of Day 2 Scotland needed only 87 to win. However there was considerable rain on Day 3 and play eventually only started at 5.15, leaving Scotland 33 Overs to get the required runs. Play had been scheduled to start at 10.30 with a close at 6.30. However under the rules there could be an hour added on at the end which meant Scotland had 33 overs rather than what would have been 18. In fact they got the runs in 15½ overs.

 

50 Partnerships

For Ireland
8th wicket	 69	P.J.K.Mooney/Naseer Shoukat
6th wicket	 70	A.R.White/D.T.Johnston
 
Against Ireland
3rd wicket	178*	D.R.Lockhart/D.F.Watts

 

Scotland eventually went on to win the Tournament in Sharjah. They beat Kenya in the semi finals (getting the better bonus points from a draw) and beat Canada in the final by an Innings. Canada beat U.A.E. in the other semi fianl, also getting the better of a draw.

 

(Article: Copyright © 2004 Gerry Byrne)