Ireland 2022
Tournaments
Tournament Coverage T20 World Cup (Australia, 16 October - 13 November)Tournament Coverage World Cup Super League 2020-2023
Tournament Coverage T20 World Cup Qualifier (Oman, 17-24 February)
Tournament Coverage Oman Quadrangular (Oman, 12-14 February)
Matches
Women's World T20
Warmup: Ireland lost to Sri Lanka by 2 runs
Stellenbosch, 6 February.
Sri Lanka 149/5 (20 overs: Harshitha Samarawickrama 56* (ret.hurt), Vishmi. Gunaratne 36, Chamari Athapaththu 27; Laura Delany 3-20)
Ireland 147 (19.5 overs: Gaby Lewis 38, Arlene Kelly 30, Laura Delany 21; Oshadi Ranasinghe 3-22, Inoka Ranaweera 3-26)
Harshita Samarawickrama on her way to 56* before retiring hurt. (ICC)
So close to a win for Ireland who needed four off the final over only to fall three runs short of a famous victory. Ireland had asked Sri Lanka to bat first in this first of two ‘official’ warmup matches, the game listed as 15-a-side (11 batting, 11 bowling). Sri Lanka had moved to 71/1 at the halfway stage and were 133 before Eimear Richardson picked up the wicket of Gunaratne with the final delivery of her four over spell. There were three twentieth over wickets for skipper Laura Delany as Sri Lanka set Ireland a target of 150 to win. There was a flying start to the reply by Gaby Lewis who found the boundary with ease but lost partner Amy Hunter who was bowled for 5. Ireland lost a second in the Powerplay as Prendergast departed, but it was still a decent start to a tough chase. Just when it looked as if Ireland were getting on top they lost two quick wickets, as Lewis and Richardson departed in quick succession. Ireland were 73/4 at the halfway point, up with the asking rate and with skipper Laura Delany and Louise Little in the middle. Two balls later the Drinks break had claimed Little, stumped for 11 to give Ranasinghe her third wicket. A tough but doable 49 needed off six overs became tougher when Delany was run out but Ireland were right back in the game when 15 came from the 16th over with Leah Paul and Arlene Kelly striking some lusty blows. A six from Kelly and suddenly Ireland were favourites only 15 needed off 15 balls. Arlene Kelly hit another six taking 11 off the penultimate over to leaves just four needed from the last. A dramatic start as Cara Murray is trapped lbw to leave 3 needed off 3 balls. With last batter Jane Maguire at the crease it was heartbreak as Kelly was run out off the penultimate ball trying to get the strike. So near but yet so far. Next up it's Australia on Wednesday for the Girls in Green. Warmups don't come much tougher than that but they will be heartened by today's performance with the bat.
3rd ODI: Zimbabwe v Ireland - no result
Harare SC, 23 January.
Zimbabwe 55/1 (13 overs; I Kaia 24*) Ireland
A stop start morning with persistent rain calling an end to what has been a close and keenly fought series.
2nd ODI: Zimbabwe lost to Ireland by 46 runs.
Harare SC, 21 January.
Ireland 294-7 (50 overs; S Doheny 84, H Tector 75, P Stirling 45, G Dockrell 50; T Chatara 3-51) Zimbabwe 248 (47.3 overs; G Ballance 52, I Kaia 51, R Burl 41, C Chibhabha 40; J Little 4-38)
Josh Little returned his best bowling figures in one day internationals as Ireland levelled the series against Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe Cricket)Josh Little after his four wickets in the second ODI against Zimbabwe
2nd ODI: Zimbabwe lost to Ireland by 46 runs.
Harare SC, 21 January.
Ireland 294-7 (50 overs; S Doheny 84, H Tector 75, P Stirling 45, G Dockrell 50; T Chatara 3-51) Zimbabwe 248 (47.3 overs; G Ballance 52, I Kaia 51, R Burl 41, C Chibhabha 40; J Little 4-38)
Josh Little returned his best bowling figures in one day internationals as Ireland levelled the series against Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe Cricket)Josh Little after his four wickets in the second ODI against Zimbabwe
1st ODI: Zimbabwe beat Ireland by 3 wickets (DLS)
Harare SC, 18 January.
Ireland 288/4 (50 overs; A Balbirnie 121 ret, H Tector 101*; Nyauchi 2-65) Zimbabwe 214/7 (37 overs; R Burl 59, S Raza 43, C Ervine 38, G Ballance 23; M Adair 2-40, G Hume 2-41) (Target score 214 in 37 overs)
Century for Andrew Balbirnie (Zimbabwe Cricket)
Ireland lost a last ball thriller in Harare, despite dominating the contest for long periods of the game. Skipper Andrew Balbirnie, playing in his 200th game, top scored with 121 before having to retire hurt. He and Harry Tector had added 212 for the third wicket after they had been in early trouble at 25 for 2. They looked on course to break the Irish ODI partnership record of 227 before Balbirnie edged a high full toss onto hiss helmet which felled him. Tector scored his third ODI hundred in his last four innings in the final over and a total of 288 for 4 looked a winning one. The Zimbabwe reply always seemed to be playing catch-up and at 99 for 4 in the 23rd over with both Ervine and Ballance in the hutch, the home crowd were very quiet. Ryan Burl though had other ideas and he and Sikander Raza powered their way back into the contest - energised by an assault on George Dockrell, whose solitary over cost 17. Rain arrived in the 34th over with Ireland two runs ahead on DLS. An 80 minute delay saw a revised target of 214 in 37 - 39 runs off 22 balls. That looked even more challenging when Raza holed out off Adair. Still Burl kept finding boundaries and with 13 needed off the last over, it was game on. The run out of Burl looked to have won it, but Brad Evans went six and out to leave the equation at five off two balls. A single left Clive Madande on strike and he was the home town saviour as he thumped a full toss to long on. A real thriller, with more to come on Saturday.
Paul Stirling after Ireland lost the first ODI against Zimbabwe on the last ball
3rd T20I: Zimbabwe beat Ireland by 4 wickets.
Harare SC, 15 January.
Ireland 141/9 (20 overs: H Tector 47, C Campher 27, G Dockrell 23; W Madhevere 2-8, L Jongwe 2-23, T Chatara 2-26, R Burl) Zimbabwe 144/6 (19 overs: C Ervine 54, R Burl 30*; B White 2-26, B McCarthy 2-32)
(Zimbabwe Cricket)2nd T20I: Zimbabwe lost to Ireland by 6 wickets.
Harare SC, 14 January.
Zimbabwe 144 (20 overs; C Ervine 42, I Kaia 25; G Hume 3-17, H Tector 2-22) Ireland 150-4 (19.4 overs; R Adair 65, A Balbirnie 33, H Tector 26; R Burl 2-26)
Ross Adair reaches his half-century as Ireland won the 2nd T20I in Harare. (Zimbabwe Cricket)Man of the Match Ross Adair speaking after the match
2nd T20I: Zimbabwe lost to Ireland by 6 wickets.
Harare SC, 14 January.
Zimbabwe 144 (20 overs; C Ervine 42, I Kaia 25; G Hume 3-17, H Tector 2-22) Ireland 150-4 (19.4 overs; R Adair 65, A Balbirnie 33, H Tector 26; R Burl 2-26)
Ross Adair reaches his half-century as Ireland won the 2nd T20I in Harare. (Zimbabwe Cricket)Man of the Match Ross Adair speaking after the match
1st T20I: Zimbabwe beat Ireland by 5 wickets
Harare SC, 12 January.
Ireland 114 all out (19.2 overs; G Delany 24, C Campher 20, S Doheny 15; R Burl 3-29, W Mazakadza 2-13, T Chatara 2-17, R Ngarva 2-20) Zimbabwe 118/5 (18 overs; G Ballance 30, S Williams 34*, M Adair 2-12, H Tector 2-17)
Andrew Balbirnie misses a wide delivery in the first T20I at the Harare Sports Club (Zimbabwe Cricket)
A rusty batting display saw Ireland beaten by five wickets against Zimbabwe in the opening match of their T20I series in Harare. The Irish gave debuts to both Ross Adair and Stephen Doheny in a new look to the top of the order. However, they slumped to 45 for 4 at the halfway stage, and only a run-a-ball 20 from Curtis Campher and a top score of 24 by Gareth Delany down the order saw them past 100. A final total of 114 looked well short at the halfway stage, but wickets in the first two overs from Harry Tector - his first bowl in the format at this level - and Mark Adair put a different complexion on matters. However, Gary Ballance's return to international cricket proved a timely one, as he steadied the ship with a solid 30. Further wickets for Tector (2-17) and Adair (2-12) gave the tourists hope, but Sean Williams' unbeaten 34 ensured the win with two overs to spare, sending the sizeable home crowd home happy. Ryan Burl's three wickets saw him collect the Man-of-the-Match award, while there were two apiece for Mazakadza, Chatara, and Ngarva on a day where the bowlers made use of a sluggish track. The sides meet again on Saturday at the same venue in the second game of the series.
Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie is interviewed after the match
World T20 Cup Group 1: New Zealand beat Ireland by 35 runs
Adelaide, 4 November.
New Zealand 185/6 (20 overs; K Willamson 61, F Allen 32, D Mitchell 31, D Conway 28; J Little 3-22, G Delany 2-30) Ireland 150/9 (20 overs; P Stirling 37, A Balbirnie 30, G Dockrell 23; L Ferguson 3-22, M Santner 2-26, T Southee 2-29, I Sodhi 2-31)
A Josh Little hat-trick halted New Zealand’s charge towards the 200+ total that looked likely as their top order all made runs, having been asked to bat by Ireland. A half-century opening partnership between Finn Allen and Devon Conway got them underway, Adair striking first with the wicket of Allen. Two more wickets for Gareth Delany’s collection, Conway and Glenn Phillips saw New Zealand at 114-3 before a fourth wicket stand of 60 between Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell took them to 174. Enter Josh Little who had Williamson caught by Delany before consecutive deliveries accounted for Neesham and Santner, both trapped lbw. A challenging total but Ireland’s reply started well, Stirling and Balbirnie getting to 68 before chopped on a Santner delivery. Stirling swung across a slower Sodhi top-spinner which clipped the top of off stump, and the impetus was lost. The old spinners adage of ‘Slower, Higher, Wider,’ paid more dividends when Tector came down the wicket to Santner only to slice a drive into the gully. With the total at 102/5 in the fifteenth, now it was the fast men’s turn, as Lockie Ferguson claimed Delany and Dockrell leaving Adair and Hand to Southee, all falling to catches in or around the ring. A comfortable win for New Zealand that would have been by a wider margin but for that magic moment from Josh Little.
T20 World Cup 1
World T20 Cup Group 1: Australia beat Ireland by 42 runs
Brisbane, 31 October.
Australia 179/5 (Overs 20, A Finch 63, MR Marsh 28, M Stoinis 35, J Little 2-21, BJ McCarthy 3-29) Ireland 137 (Overs 18.1, LJ Tucker 71*, PJ Cummins 2-28, GJ Maxwell 2-14, MA Starc 2-43, A Zampa 2-19)
After a scratchy start that could have seen him run out for only 6, Australian skipper Aaron Finch played himself into some form in partnerships of 52 with Mitch Marsh and 70 with Marcus Stoinis. Ireland had started well with Barry McCarthy claiming the wicket of out of touch David Warner with his first delivery, and a second when Marsh edged behind in the ninth over. Australia were 78/2 at the halfway mark, but from there powered on to add another 101 in the second ten overs. Not out of reach would have been the thought as Ireland started the chase. Hopes were quickly dashed however, as five wickets fell for only seven runs - 18/1 becoming 25/5, as Stirling and Tector fell to Glenn Maxwell, and Mitchell Starc removed Campher and Dockrell with identical inswingers, in a double wicket maiden from which there was no way back. This World Cup has featured a number of stunning individual performances and today it was Lorcan Tucker's turn. He scored 71* off 48 deliveries (9x4, 1x6) showing little regard for reputations, at one stage blasting a 6 and 4 of consecutive Hazlewood deliveries, and three boundaries in the next Starc over. Australia would have hoped that their win today would give them a better NRR than England but Tucker ensured that would not happen - Australia claimed the points but it is England who are the beneficiaries from Ireland's performance today.
T20 World Cup 1
World T20 Cup Group 1: Afghanistan v Ireland (abandoned without a ball bowled)
Melbourne, 28 October.
Disappointing result for both teams, each would have been targeting a win in this one. One of those days where the rain eased enough to raise hopes of a start only for it to return - the sort of day groundstaff dread. You can relive the frustrations by going to the Commentary in our live coverage - plenty there for you to enjoy, if not the cricket.
T20 World Cup 1
World T20 Cup Group 1: Ireland beat England by 5 runs (DLS)
Melbourne, 26 October.
Ireland 157 (19.2 overs; A Balbirnie 62, L Tucker 34; L Livingstone 3-17, M Wood 3-34, S Curran 2-30)
England 105-5 (14.3 overs; D Malan 34, M Ali 24*, J Little 2-16) (Rain ended England innings after 14.3 overs - Par score 111)
A historic win for Ireland on an historic occasion. A brilliant first ten overs from Ireland saw them reach 92 for the loss of only Paul Stirling. Andy Balbirnie and keeper Lorcan Tucker then added 82 off only 57 deliveries for the second wicket which fell at 103 when Tucker was unluckily run out, a Balbirnie drive deflected onto the stumps by bowler Rashid. But that was as good as it got in Ireland's innings as the rest of the wickets went 'like snow off a ditch'. Extreme pace and leg-spin, the classic recipe for success at the MCG, proved a winner again as Wood and Livingstone claimed three wickets each and Curran two to wrap things up for a 'par' score of 157 that threatened to be twenty or thirty more at one stage. In the England reply Little stuck twice setting England back, and when Fionn Hand produced the ball of the day to remove Stokes with only his first 'legal' delivery, you sensed something special was in prospect. Two dropped catches off Dockrell's first two balls didn't prove costly as Brook holed out off the fifth at deep midwicket. Rain arrived with Moeen Ali trying to hit England ahead of the DLS target to no avail. Rain was forecast, the result was not, but as Eoin Morgan said in his summary - 'Ireland outbatted and outbowled 'us' (quickly corrected to England) on the day, deserved winners.'
T20 World Cup 1
World T20 Cup Group 1: Ireland lost to Sri Lanka by 9 wickets.
Hobart, 23 October.
Ireland 128/8 (20 overs; H Tector 45, P Stirling 34; M Theekshana 2-19, W Hasaranga 2-15) Sri Lanka 133/1 (15 overs; K Mendis 68*, C Asalanka 31*, D de Silva 31; G Delany 1-28)
Choosing to bat first, Ireland struggled against the variety of spin that the Sri Lankans have in their armoury. Paul Stirling up front and Harry Tector, who joined him in the fifth over with the score at 26, added 29 for the sixth wicket. Then with Stirling gone it was Tector and Dockrell who added 47 before Dockrell was bowled with the score 107/7. It became a case of 'Après Moi le Déluge' - to quote the Dambuster's squadron motto, as the innings was wrapped up in quick time. Sri Lanka's opening pair Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva rattled up half the required total before Delany had de Silva caught by Lorcan Tucker. Charith Asalanka joined Mendis and the remaining runs required only another six overs, with all three Sri Lankan batters who got to the crease scoring at better than a run-a-ball. 'Ordeal by spin' today and it will be 'Ordeal by pace' against England at the MCG on Wednesday.
Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie after loss to Sri Lanka
T20 World Cup B
World T20 Cup Group B: West Indies lost to Ireland by 9 wickets.
Hobart, 21 October.
West Indies 146/5 (20 overs; B King 62*, J Charles 24; G Delany 3-16) Ireland 150/1 (17.3 overs; P Stirling 66*, L Tucker 45*, A Balbirnie 37)
Gareth Delany took three wickets as Ireland beat West Indies (CricketEurope)
West Indies coming up 15-20 short of what they had hoped for and indeed looked set to get, although today Ireland would still likely have come out on top. For the Windies only Brandon King with 62* off 48 balls managed to make an impact. Ireland excellent in the field and Gareth Delany with those 3 wickets the pick of the attack. For the first time this week Ireland got a start. Great hitting from both openers and 64 in the Powerplay set things up for a win 'slowing down' that was inevitable from a long way out. On now to the Super 12s, and let's be honest, anything other than that would have been a huge disappointment, they did it the hard way and all credit to them for that. Ireland's next opponents will be Sri Lanka at the same venue on Sunday. Another early 5am start for those at home.
T20 World Cup B
World T20 Cup Group B: Ireland beat Scotland by 6 wickets.
Hobart, 19 October.
Scotland 176/5 (20 overs; M Jones 86, R Berrington 37, M Cross 28; C Campher 2-9) Ireland 180/4 (19 overs; C Campher 72*, G Dockrell 39*)
As they say about Halley's Comet, you only see it once in your lifetime, this was a stellar performance from Campher and Dockrell that saved skipper Balbirnie's blushes. A magnificent 86 off 55 balls from Michael Jones had propelled Scotland beyond the 170 total that had previously been chased down in Hobart only 3 times in over 20 encounters with questions asked as to how Ireland's bowling was managed, Campher taking 2-9 but only bowling two overs! When Ireland were 61/4 after 10 overs in the reply it was all Scotland and Campher and Dockrell took the only option open to them. With 115 added in the next 9 overs of the innings, an unbroken fifth wicket stand of 119, Campher 72* off 32 (7x4, 4x6) and Dockrell 39* off 27 (4x4, 1x6) ensuring that Ireland live to fight another day - at least!.
T20 World Cup B
World T20 Cup Group B: Ireland lost to Zimbabwe by 31 runs
Hobart, 17 October.
174/7 (20 overs; S Raza 82, W Madhevere 22, L Jongwe 20*; J Little 3-24, S Singh 2-31, M Adair 2-39) 143/9 (20 overs; C Campher 27, G Dockrell 24, G Delany 24, B McCarthy 22*; B Muzarabani 3-23, R Ngarave 2-22, T Chatara 2-22)
A 82 run Sikandar Raza blitz set Ireland an improbable target 175 for victory. Raza's 48 ball innings contained 5x6 and 5x4 and the Ireland bowlers wilted under the barrage. There was pace and bounce in the pitch which Josh Little exploited to claim his 3 wickets, with a couple each for Mark Adair and Simi Singh. Whatever pace and bounce Little got was more than matched by Muzarabani who had Balbirnie and Tector flatfooted and edging to slip. Little positives to report in the Ireland innings, except perhaps some lusty swings in the final overs clawing back a few decimal points in their NRR.
T20I: Ireland lost to Afghanistan by 27 runs
Stormont, 15 August.
Afghanistan 132/6 (11 overs; N Zadran 50, R Khan 31*; G Delany 3-33) Ireland 105 (11 overs; G Dockrell 41*; F Ahmad 3-14, R Khan 2-21)
George Dockrell top scored with 41 not out (Sportsfile)
The final margin 27 runs and the series level at 2-2 going into the decider on Wednesday. Afghanistan scored at twelve runs an over with 53 coming off the last three. For Ireland Dockrell's phenomenal series goes on and on. That's now 134 runs in the series without being out but no real support after an opening stand of 28. Crucially the wickets kept falling throughout the 11 overs. The big blow for Ireland, apart from Stirling hitting a long hop straight to long leg was the wickets of Adair and Hand off successive balls in the eighth over. All to play for on Wednesday.
Ireland's top scorer George Dockrell after the match
T20I: Ireland lost to Afghanistan by 22 runs
Stormont, 12 August.
Afghanistan 189/5 (20 overs; Rahmanullah Gurbaz 53, Najibullah Zadran 42, Hazratullah Zazai 39, Ibrahim Zadran 36; J Little 2-29) Ireland 167/9 (20 overs; G Dockrell 58*, F Hand 36, L Tucker 31; Naveen 3-38, Farooqui 2-11, Mujeeb 2-28)
George Dockrell top-scored for Ireland (Sportsfile)
Afghanistan powered their way back into the five-match T20I series with a 22-run win over Ireland at Stormont. The victory was set up by their top order with Man-of-the-Match Gurbaz (53) and the recalled Zazai (39) laying the perfect platform with an opening stand of 90 in 11.2 overs before being dismissed by Josh Little (2-29) and debutant Fionn Hand. Ibrahim (36) kept the momentum going, but the real damage was inflicted by Najibullah who hit five sixes in his 42 as the visitors ended on an imposing 189 for 5. The chase started poorly with Stirling going in the first over, Balbirnie in the third, and Tector the fourth. Soon, the Irish were in disarray at 85 for 7, despite a feisty 3 from Lorcan Tucker. An Irish record 8th wicket stand of 74 in 38 balls between George Dockrell, who made an unbeaten 58 from 38 balls (6 fours, 2 sixes) and Fionn Hand, whose 18-ball 36 included 4 fours and 2 sixes put a gloss on the card, but in truth the result was never in any doubt.
Debutant Fionn Hand
T20I: Ireland beat Afghanistan by 5 wickets
Stormont, 11 August.
Afghanistan 122-8 (20 overs; H Shahidi 36; M Adair 2-12, C Campher 2-13, J Little 2-18, G Delany 2-19) Ireland 125-5 (19 overs; A Balbirnie 46, L Tucker 27, G Dockrell 25*; M Nabi 2-15)
Man of the Match Josh Little (Sportsfile)
Ireland have gone two-nil up in their five-match series after comfortably beating Afghanistan by 5 wickets in Belfast. A fine bowling display saw Man-of-the-Match Josh Little, Curtis Campher, Mark Adair and Gareth Delany each take two wickets to restrict the Afghans to a modest 122 for 8 in their 20 overs. In reply, skipper Andy Balbirnie top-scored with 46 adding 65 for the second wicket in 9 overs with Lorcan Tucker, who made 27. There was a little mid-innings wobble, but George Dockrell's unbeaten 25 sealed the win with an over to spare. The teams meet again on Friday with the action at Stormont getting under way at 3.30pm.
T20I: Ireland beat Afghanistan by 7 wickets.
Stormont, 9 August.
168-7 (20 overs; U Ghani 59, I Zadran 29*, R Gurbaz ; B McCarthy 3-24, G Dockrell 2-7) 171-3 (19.5 overs; A Balbirnie 51, L Tucker 50, P Stirling 31, H Tector 25*;
Andrew Balbirnie scored a Man-of-the-Match half century (Sportsfile)
Ireland survived a late wobble to record their first win under new Head Coach Henrich Malan, beating Afghanistan to take a 1-0 lead in the five –match series at Stormont. Chasing 169, Paul Stirling (31) and skipper Andy Balbirnie gave their side a perfect platform with an opening stand of 61. The Irish captain showed a timely return to form after his barren run, making a Man-of-the-Match 51 from 38 balls (5 fours, 1 six). Lorcan Tucker scored his second 50 in three games, hitting 6 fours and a six in his 50 from 32 balls. However, 23 were still needed from the last two overs, and 13 from the last, making Afghanistan slight favourites. However Harry Tector (25*) and George Dockell both found the boundaries needed to seal a welcome win. Barry McCarthy (3-34) and Dockrell (2-7) were best with the ball. The teams meet again on Thursday and Friday.
Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie after his MOM display
T20I: Ireland lost to South Africa by 44 runs.
The County Ground, Bristol, 5 August.
South Africa 182/6 (20 overs; R Hendricks 42, H Klassen 39, D Miller 32; G Delany 2-24) Ireland 138 (18.5 overs; H Tector 34, B McCarthy 32; W Parnell 5-30, D Pretorius 3-33)
Harry Tector top-scored with 34 (Martin Bennett)
Ireland’s losing streak in T20I’s continued after they were well beaten by 44 runs against South Africa. Chasing 183, they lost captain Andy Balbirnie and Lorcan Tucker without scoring, the first two of five wickets for left-arm paceman Wayne Parnell (5-30). Paul Stirling hit two sixes in a quickfire 28, while YMCA duo Harry Tector (34) and Curtis Campher (19) added 47 in six overs for the fifth wicket. However, Ireland lost five wickets in two overs to slump to 96 for 9. Parnell’s fifth wicket was courtesy of a stupendous diving catch by De Kock off McBrine. A last wicket stand of 42 between Barry McCarthy (32) and Josh Little softened the losing margin. Little (1-20) and Gareth Delany (2-24) had helped Ireland keep South Africa quiet despite Reeza Hendricks 42, but once again death bowling proved Ireland’s Achilles heel. The Proteas plundered 89 from the final six overs, and a total of 182 was always going to be challenging on a used pitch.
T20I: Ireland lost to South Africa by 21 runs
County Ground, Bristol, 3 August.
South Africa 211/5 (20 overs; R Hendricks 74, A Markram 56, T Stubbs 24, D Pretorius 21*; G Delany 2-31) Ireland 190/9 (20 overs; L Tucker 78, G Dockrell 43; K Maharaj 2-29, D Parnell 2-36, T Shamsi 2-37)
Lorcan Tucker scored 78 (Martin Bennett)
Lorcan Tucker and George Dockrell batted superbly in a sixth wicket stand of 86 in 46 balls, but Ireland still lost by 21 runs in a tough chase. Tucker produced his best batting display as he top-scored with 78 from 38 balls (7 fours, 5 sixes), while Dockrell’s rich vein at interpro level transferred into the top arena as he hit 3 sixes and 2 fours in his best T20I score of 43 in 28 balls. The pair had come together with Ireland on 84 for 5, chasing 212, but after they fell in the space of two balls, the hosts ended on 190 for 9. The Irish bowling display wasn’t their best, as Reeza Hendicks (74) and Aidan Markram (56) added a third wicket stand of 112 in 10 overs to power them to 211 for 5. The teams meet again in the second and final match of the series on Friday.
T20I: Ireland lost to New Zealand by 6 wickets.
Stormont, 22 July.
Ireland 174-6 (20 overs; P Stirling 40, M Adair 37*,L Tucker 28; I Sodhi 2-27, B Tickner 2-35) New Zealand 180-4 (19 overs; G Phillips 56*, D Mitchell 48, M Guptill 25; J Little 2-33)
Paul Stirling (Sportsfile)
Ireland were once again competitive, but were beaten by New Zealand who completed another series whitewash against the hosts. They had looked well-placed at the half-way stage, having put 174 for 6 on the board, with runs for Paul Stirling (40), Lorcan Tucker (28) and Harry Tector (23) setting the stage for fireworks at the end. Mark Adair hit four sixes in an unbeaten 37, adding 58 in 3.3 overs with Curtis Campher (19*). A total of over 140 had never been chased at Stormont, but that was broken as a half century from Man-of-the Match Glenn Phillips, plus runs for Daryl Mitchell (48) and Jimmy Neesham (23* from 6 balls) took the Black Caps to victory with an over to spare.
T20I: Ireland lost to New Zealand by 88 runs.
Stormont, 20 July.
New Zealand 179-4 (20 overs; D Cleaver 78*, F Allen 35; J Little 2-31, C Young 2-34) Ireland 91 (13.5 overs; M Adair 27; M Bracewell 3-5, I Sodhi 3-21, J Duffy 2-20)
Gareth Delany is bowled first ball (Photo: Paul Irwin)
Ireland produced a horror batting display as they slumped to an 88-run loss against New Zealand in the T20I series in Belfast. Needing an unlikely 180 for victory, the chase was effectively over before halfway as Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson and Ish Sodhi reduced them to 54 for 7. Mark Adair struck a defiant 27, but Michael Bracewell’s dream series continued as he finished the game with a hat-trick – Ireland 91 all out. Dane Cleaver hit 5 fours and 4 sixes as he top-scored with 78 for the Black Caps in their 179 for 4, with runs too for Finn Allen (35) and Glenn Phillips *23). Josh Little (2-31) and Craig Young (2-34) the successful bowlers. The sides meet again on Friday in the third and final match of the series.
T20I: Ireland lost to New Zealand by 31 runs.
Stormont, 18 July.
New Zealand 173-8 (20 overs; G Phillips 69*, J Neesham 29; J Little 4-35, M Adair 2-49) Ireland 142 (18.2 overs; C Campher 29, M Adair 25; L Ferguson 4-14, J Neesham 2-19, M Santner 2-36)
Gareth Delany is bowled first ballWorld Cup Super League: Ireland lost to New Zealand by 3 wickets.
Malahide, 12 July.
Ireland 216 (48 overs; G Dockrell 74, A McBrine 28, M Adair 27*, C Campher 25; M Bracewell 2-26, M Santner 2-32, M Henry 2-40) New Zealand 219-7 (38.1 overs; F Allen 60, T Latham 55, M Bracewell 42*; M Adair 2-29, S Singh 2-51)
George Dockrell is congratulated by Simi Singh on reaching his half-century (Sportsfile)World Cup Super League: Ireland lost to New Zealand by 1 wicket.
Malahide, 10 July.
Ireland 300-9 (50 overs; H Tector 113; C Campher 43, A McBrine 39, S Singh 30*, L Tucker 26; L Ferguson 2-44, I Sodhi 2-62, B Tickner 2-71) New Zealand 305-9 (49.5 overs; M Bracewell 127*, M Guptill 51, G Phillips 38, I Sodhi 25; C Campher 3-49, M Adair 2-43)
A disappointed Andrew Balbirnie speaking after the match
Scorecard T20I: Ireland lost to India by 7 wickets, 26 June.
Scorecard World T20 Qualifier Final: UAE beat Ireland by 7 wickets, 24 February.
Scorecard World T20 Qualifier Semi-final: Ireland beat Oman by 56 runs, 22 February.
Scorecard World T20 Qualifier Group A: Germany lost to Ireland by 7 wickets, 21 February.
Scorecard World T20 Qualifier Group A: Ireland beat Bahrain by 21 runs, 19 February.
Scorecard World T20 Qualifier Group A: UAE beat Ireland by 18 runs, 18 February.
Scorecard Oman T20 Quadrangular: Ireland beat Nepal by 16 runs, 14 February.
Scorecard Oman T20 Quadrangular: UAE beat Ireland by 13 runs, 13 February.
Scorecard Oman T20 Quadrangular: Oman lost to Ireland by 9 wickets, 12 February.
Scorecard World Cup Super League: West Indies lost to Ireland by 2 wickets, 16 January.
Scorecard World Cup Super League: West Indies lost to Ireland by 5 wickets (DLS), 13 January.
Scorecard World Cup Super League: West Indies beat Ireland by 24 runs, 8 January.
Ireland XI Matches
Scorecard Jamaica Scorpions beat Ireland XI by 5 wickets, 5 January.Use the pull down menu above to view the latest international, interprovincial and provincial league tables.
Video Highlights
Ireland Under 19 v Afghanistan 2018
Highlights of Ireland's 4 run win in the Under 19 World Cup match in Whangarei, New Zealand.
Ed Liddle's Player Profiles
Ivan Anderson
Ireland 1966-1985
Tournament Feature
2009 T20 World Cup
England
Match from the Past
Ireland drew with Sri Lanka
3 Day, Eglinton, 7-9 July 1979
CricketEurope Magazine
Arthur E. Newton, Somerset CCC and Cahir CC
In the late summer of 1893, cricket in Tipperary got a shot in the arm with the appearance of Arthur Edward Newton on the Cahir CC selection.
International Venues
Lisburn CC
Wallace Park, Lisburn, County Antrim
Latest Photos
Ireland v Australia, Women's T20 World Cup warm-up
8 February (ICC)
Paul Stirling
Stand in captain Paul Stirling after their last ball loss against Zimbabwe