CRICKET NEWS:AN UNBEATEN century from Niall O'Brien helped Ireland wrap up a comfortable nine-wicket victory over Namibia to claim a third successive Intercontinental Cup title in Port Elizabeth yesterday, writes Emmet Riordan
Ireland started the fourth day needing just 67 runs with O'Brien and first-innings hero Alex Cusack starting cautiously, adding just 18 runs in the first 13 overs from Gerrie Snyman and Deon Kotze.
A change of bowling brought a change in attitude as O'Brien hit Louis Klazinga's first ball for the opening boundary of the morning as Ireland knocked off the final 49 runs in nine overs to seal victory.
O'Brien finished unbeaten on 119, his fifth century in the competition, while Cusack picked up the man-of-the-match award after adding an undefeated 39 to his crucial 95 not out in the first innings.
The victory was framed on Saturday, when a fine Irish bowling display led by Boyd Rankin helped dismiss Namibia for 145 in their second innings and set a target of 201. Rankin claimed four wickets for 39 runs, while fellow opening bowler Peter Connell finished with three for 36 to give him match figures of eight for 90 and bring his total in the competition to 28 in just five matches.
Skipper William Porterfield and O'Brien fired from the traps, taking just 43 balls to go past 50 before Porterfield went for 34. Cusack joined O'Brien and played the steady hand as the Northamptonshire player brought up his half-century off 52 balls, with seven fours and a six. O'Brien finished the day on 77 not out before completing his century yesterday off 144 balls.
Porterfield summed up the buoyant mood in the Irish camp following a hugely successful end to the competition that also saw them beat Namibia and Kenya in the group stages.
"I am absolutely delighted. To come here to Africa and win all three games to take the title for a third time is a great achievement.
"It seems a long time ago that we played our first game in the competition against Bermuda. It has been a long haul with lots of ups and downs but we have come through in the end," said Porterfield.
