Ireland thump USA to set up Celtic showdown

Cricket:An almost unplayable spell of opening bowling from Boyd Rankin led Ireland to an 64-run victory over the United States in Dubai today as Phil Simmons's side warmed up for their key World Twenty20 qualifier clash against Scotland on Sunday.

With Namibia remaining unbeaten at the top of Group B, Sunday’s game looks like deciding second place ahead of the play-offs. If the Africans don’t slip up in their remaining three games, that would leave just one spot available at next September’s World Twenty20 finals in Sri Lanka, with the

group winners facing each other for the first qualifying place next Thursday.

Following the opening defeat to Namibia, Ireland have known that another slip could be fatal, but despite losing a couple of early wickets in today’s game against the US they were always in control as they went on to make 160 for six from their 20 overs.

After losing Paul Stirling (17) and Alex Cusack in the space of two balls to leave them on 32 for three, Ireland rebuilt through Ed Joyce and Kevin O’Brien adding 86 in 68 balls.

Both fell before recording half centuries, O’Brien departing for 47 from 36 balls to a brilliant caught and bowled by Abhimanyu Rajp, who also took a much easier return catch off Joyce after he made 46 from 47.

The in-form Gary Wilson hit 19 from 10 late on, while John Mooney was unbeaten on 12 from seven deliveries as Ireland pushed the total past 150.

It was always going to be a huge ask despite the lightening-quick outfield, but they had no answer for the pace of Rankin as he tore through their top order.

The 6ft 8in Warwickshire player claimed his third straight man of the match award with a stunning spell that earned him four wickets for nine runs from his four overs.

Trent Johnston also claimed two wickets in his spell, albeit at a cost of 38 runs, with spinners Andrew White (two for 13) and Stirling (one for nine) wrapping things up as the US were bowled out for 96 with two overs remaining.

SCORES

Ireland 160-6 (20 overs)(K O'Brien 47, E Joyce 46, G Wilson 19, P Stirling 17; E Hutchinson 3-22, A Rajp 2-24).

United States 96 (18 ovs)(E Hutchinson 28, S Taylor 23; B Rankin 4-9, A White 2-13, T Johnston 2-38).

Ireland (2pts) bt USA (0pt) by 64 runs.