Cricket: Kevin O'Brien bludgeoned a century and Regan West claimed a first international five-wicket haul as Ireland beat Oman by 116 runs to make it two from two in Group A at the World Cup qualifying tournament in South Africa today.
O’Brien hit an unbeaten 101 off 91 balls to help his side post a daunting 285 for four at Krugersdorp near Johannesburg, and shared in an unbeaten fifth-wicket stand of 174 with Andrew White, who finished on 71 not out.
The pair were particularly destructive in the last 10 overs, slamming the Oman attack for 107, with O’Brien moving from 50 to his century in just 23 deliveries, hitting five sixes and six fours in his knock.
Earlier, skipper William Porterfield had won his second straight toss and elected to bat. The Gloucestershire player failed to repeat his century-making heroics from yesterday’s victory over Scotland, falling for 32 after a first-wicket partnership of 65 with Gary Wilson.
Eoin Morgan also missed out this time, making just one, while Wilson fell just four short of a half-century. Niall O‘Brien chipped in with 20, but it was younger brother Kevin who took the plaudits with his third international century.
Oman lost their first five wickets for just nine runs in their opening loss to Canada, but they made a much better fist of it in their reply and had moved to 97 without loss after 16 overs as Ireland‘s seamers struggled.
The introduction of West turned the tide, the left-arm spinner taking three wickets in his first seven balls, while Eoin Morgan also contributed a run out as Oman stumbled to 103 for four.
The gulf state never recovered as West went on finish with five wickets for 26 from his 10 overs. Peter Connell came back to clean up their tail to finish with figures of three for 24 as Oman were bowled out for 169 in the 38th over.
Ireland have a rest day tomorrow before taking on Uganda at the same venue on Saturday.
Score
Ireland 285-4 (50 ovs) (K O’Brien 101no, A White 71no, G Wilson 46, W Porterfield 32), Oman 169 (37.3 ovs) (A Ahmed 48, N Parmar 41, H Mehta 32; R West 5-26, P Connell 3-24). Ireland won by 116 runs.
