Ireland qualify for U19 Cricket World Cup in dramatic fashion

Scotland collapse helps Ireland claim spot in next year’s event in New Zealand

Josh Little took two late wickets as Ireland beat Scotland in Jersey to book a place in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup. Photograph:   Rowland White/Inpho/Presseye
Josh Little took two late wickets as Ireland beat Scotland in Jersey to book a place in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup. Photograph: Rowland White/Inpho/Presseye

Ireland completed a stunning five-run win over Scotland in Jersey on Monday to book a place at next year’s Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand.

Ireland were unbeaten going into the game, having already beaten Scotland, but they knew they needed to complete an unbeaten tournament to be sure of the one qualifying place.

Scotland were in complete control at the halfway point as Ireland were shot out for 108 in the 48th over, Harry Tector playing a captain's knock, his 55 runs from 139 balls making him the only Irish batsman to score double figures.

Rory Johnston and Angus Beattie seemed to have matters in hand for the Scots as they posted a 27-run stand for the sixth wicket, however once Varun Chopra split them up by dismissing Beattie for 10, Ireland moved in for the kill.

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Aaron Cawley picked up the big scalp of Johnston for 30 soon after and made it two wickets in two balls when he struck again with the first ball of his next over.

Fellow opening bowler Josh Little also took two late wickets, including the final wicket to fall when Neil Rock took a fine catch to dismiss No 11 batsman Ihtisham Malik as he looked to secure the victory by clearing the boundary rope.

EUROPEAN UNDER-19 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

Ireland 108 (47.4 ovs) (H Tector 55; O Brown 4-15, A Beattie 2-13), Scotland 103 (34.5 ovs ) (R Johnston 30, A Hinton 21; A Crawley 3-21, J Little 3-23; M Neville 2-12). Ireland won by 5 runs.