Ireland look for immediate response
February 19, 2012 08:15:08 UK
Ireland have mapped out a route to claim Test status but they need to bounce back from a defeat in the opening ODI in Kenya.
The Irish batting had struggled in the victory over their hosts in the longer form of the game and key men failed again in the ODI. Wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien was left out of the squad due to his T20 commitments in Bangladesh and skipper Will Porterfield and former England man Ed Joyce both failed to reach double figures.
Kenyan captain Collins Obuya picked up a catch and three wickets and he and his brother David both made twenties. The brothers are two of only three members of the Kenyan squad in their thirties as the old guard have largely been swept away. Kenya had fallen from being one of the top ICC nations as their resources were hampered by the country's financial problems but they look ready to re-emerge with new talent.
An unbroken century stand from Rakep Patel, who made 42, and Tanmay Mishra with 70 gives real hope for the future as they dealt with the Irish attack. The likes of Boyd Rankin, Trent Johnson and Paul Stirling all failed to pick up a wicket and only George Dockrell ended with any joy.
Ireland are a good side but this is a big wake-up call. Ed Joyce has sufficient talent to put his failure behind him and lead the batting and Dockrell should find some purchase for his spin on the dry pitches.
Obuya will be the main tormentor with ball in hand while Mishra showed a pleasing array of shots and could well follow up his half-century.
Meanwhile, England are 1.72 to win the fourth ODI against Pakistan, who can be backed at 2.10.
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