Ed Joyce led Ireland to their best NatWest Trophy score of 261 for 8 at Edgbaston yesterday, but it still wasn't enough to prevent a Warwickshire victory by 41 runs.

The 19-year-old lefthander is rapidly confirming his enormous potential and, after a composed 73 off 119 balls, it cannot be long before he is playing county cricket.

Joyce began as the junior partner in an opening stand of 51, with Kyle McCallan, but then moved smoothly through the gears as first Stephen Smyth and then Derek Heasley helped him progress at five runs per over.

Warwickshire's total of 302 looked in danger as the third wicket pair added 83, and it was a relief for the County side when a quicker ball from Ashley Giles bowled Heasley at 182-3.

Andrew Patterson followed for nought in the next over, and Joyce showed his inexperience when he charged Neil Smith and was stumped to end an innings that included six boundaries.