CRICKET/Ireland v MCC: Peter Gillespie bludgeoned his way to the fastest international century by an Irishman as Ireland easily overcame the disappointing challenge of the MCC by 94 runs in Bangor yesterday. The Strabane man faced just 47 balls for his unbeaten 102, including a six over deep backward square, off the last ball of the innings to take him to that magnificent milestone, his first century for Ireland.
It was one of six maximums for Gillespie as he helped Ireland to the huge total of 351 for 4 off 50 overs, and it highlights the sort of memorable year he is having and almost certainly guarantees him a starting place in Adrian Birrell's team for the ICC Trophy.
With a number of injuries in the squad, the selectors had called up Conor Armstrong to open the innings. And the North County man did not disappoint. He and Dom Joyce got off to the perfect start, putting on 121 for the first wicket despite a lively start with the ball by Phoenix CC's fast bowler David Langford-Smith. Joyce fell caught and bowled to Claypole for 56 while Armstrong was finally out stumped just 10 short of his century.
It was a solid batting performance, with Kyle McCallan also chipping in with a half-century as Gillespie dispatched the ball to all parts of a resplendent Upritchard Park.
Andre Botha had a poor day by his standards, out for just two and then fielding poorly and failing to take a wicket. Such is the class and record of the man, however, there is no reason for Birrell to fret about him just yet.
MCC never really looked like getting close to their target of 352 to win, losing wickets at regular intervals. Indeed, the unbeaten ninth-wicket partnership between Langford-Smith and Claypole was the most impressive, realising 64 runs towards the end, by which time they were chasing a lost cause. Paul Mooney was just about the pick of the Irish bowlers, ending up with figures of 2-35 off his 10 overs.
The MCC have a chance to exact some revenge today as they move for another one-day game at Waringstown (10.45am).
IRELAND
C Armstrong st Fitzgerald b Heasley 90
D Joyce c and b Claypole 56
A Botha st Fitzgerald b Sparrow 2
K McCallan c Fitzgerald b Bourke 50
P Gillespie not out 102
M Hutchinson not out 7
Extras (1b, 14lb, 4nb, 25w) 44
TOTAL (for 4, 50 overs) ... 351
Fall of wickets: 121, 131, 218, 271.
Did not bat: P Mooney, N Shoukat, J Mooney, R Coetzee, G Wilson.
Bowling: Langford-Smith 10-1-67-0, Bourke 10-1-59-1, Claypole 10-1-62-1, Sparrow 6-1-55-1, Flanagan 9-0-56-0, Heasley 5-0-37-1.
MCC
I Flanagan c Gillespie b P Mooney 22
J Sylvester c and b Coetzee 42
A Evans c Wilson b P Mooney 10
D Bicknell st Wilson b McCall 31
D Heasley c Wilson b J Mooney 18
N Fitzgerald lbw J Mooney 24
A Bourke c Wilson b McCallan 18
B Claypole not out 46
I Fletcher c Wilson b Shoukat 2
D Langford-Smith not out 23
Extras (3b, 4lb, 3nb, 11w) 21
TOTAL (for 8, 50 overs) ... 257
Fall of wickets: 39, 55, 106, 127, 148, 182, 184, 193.
Did not bat: J Sparrow.
Bowling: P Mooney 10-0-35-2, Shoukat 8-0-70-1, Botha 9-0-47-0, Coetzee 8-0-39-1, McCallan 10-0-42-2, J Mooney 5-0-18-2.
Ireland won by 94 runs.
