CRICKET INTERCONTINENTAL CUP:IN THE six and a half months that he has played senior cricket for Ireland, George Dockrell has already shown the promise that looks set to mark an outstanding international career.

From Sri Lanka to the Caribbean the 18-year-old from Rathgar has been a revelation with the ball, earning himself a contract with Somerset and key role in Phil Simmons’s side.

Yesterday he got a chance to bring it all back home to where it began on the opening day of Ireland’s Intercontinental Cup clash against the Netherlands at Rathmines and the familiar surrounds of Leinster CC.

The left-arm spinner has bowled better for Ireland, in more important matches, but he still gave the home support plenty to cheer about, taking four wickets for 36 on his first-class debut as the Dutch were bowled out for 188 in their first knock after winning the toss.

Eight of the wickets fell to players making their first-class debuts, with off-spinner Albert van der Merwe taking three for 35, while Roscrea native Allan Eastwood took one for 46 in three decent spells where he found whatever bounce was in the pitch.

Eastwood was rewarded early on with the wicket of Eric Szwarczynski, who went to a rising delivery that was well caught at first slip by Trent Johnston.

A partnership of 62 between Tom de Grooth and Wilfred Diepeveen helped the Dutch build momentum only for Johnston to find the edge to Kevin O’Brien at second slip to end Diepeveen’s enterprising knock after he made 41 from 48 deliveries.

Dockrell entered the fray just before lunch and struck in his second over when John Mooney took a sharp bat-pad catch from De Grooth’s bat to end the session with the Netherlands on 84 for three.

Ireland struck early in the second session, with Johnston finding the edge of Nick Statham’s bat through to wicketkeeper Gary Wilson. After a 50-minute rain delay, it was the spinners that were to enjoy their moment, with Dockrell and Van der Merwe taking the final six wickets as the Dutch were bowled out for 188, losing their last four for six runs.

Ireland lost openers Paul Stirling and James Hall with just 17 runs on the board, but Alex Cusack (36 not out) and Kevin O’Brien (38 not out) added 71 runs either side of a second rain delay as they closed on 88 for two. Play will start at 10.30 this morning in a bid to make up for the time lost yesterday.

Scoreboard at Rathmines

INTERCONTINENTAL CUP

(at Rathmines)

Netherlands won the toss and batted.

NETHERLANDS:First innings

E Szwarczynski c Johnston b Eastwood 8

T de Grooth c Mooney b Dockrell 29

W Diepeveen c OBrien b Johnston 41

N Statham c Wilson b Johnston 0

W Barresi lbw b Dockrell 10

P Borren st Wilson b Van der Merwe 39

T Heggelman lbw b Dockrell 30

P Seelaar c Stirling b Van der Merwe 20

Mauritz Jonkman c Johnston b Van Der Merwe 1

B Loots not out 0

M Kashif lbw b Dockrell 2

Extras (b2 lb6) 8

Total (all out, 64 ovs) 188

Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-82, 3-84, 4-84, 5-100, 6-150, 7-182, 8-186, 9-188.

Bowling: A Eastwood 14-3-46-1; T Johnston 17-3-48-2; K OBrien 6-1-25-0; G Dockrell 16-6-36-4; A van der Merwe 11-5-25-3.

IRELAND: First innings

P Stirling c Szwarczynski b Loots 5

J Hall lbw b Jonkman 7

A Cusack not out 36

K OBrien not out 38

Extras (nb2) 2

Total (for 2 wkts, 23 ovs) 88

To bat:G Wilson, A White, J Mooney, T Johnston, A van der Merwe, G Dockrell, A Eastwood.

Fall of wickets:1-11, 2-17.

Bowling:Mauritz Jonkman 7-1-26-1; B Loots 7-2-18-1; P Borren 3-0-13-0; T Heggelman 4-0-30-0; M Kashif 2-1-1-0.

• Play resumes at 10.30am this morning.