Belfast Wolves soared to the top of the ETPL table with a second win, beating Amsterdam Flames, in a game reduced to the minimum five overs.

ETPL

Overnight rain and a persistent drizzle delayed the start by two hours and 40 minutes but Wolves wasted no time in claiming the win, by nine wickets with seven balls to spare.

Paul Stirling, after missing Wolves’ previous game, returned in some style with 25 from just 10 balls, his third six winning the match.

The only wicket Belfast lost was Mark Chapman, promoted to open, who was bowled by Aryan Dutt’s first ball for 19 off eight and skipper Glenn Maxwell chipped in with 11 off five balls, including two fours.

Amsterdam, still waiting for their first win, put into bat, were restricted  to 56 for two, including an ETPL debut for Australian legend Steve Smith. He didn’t miss out, hitting two sixes - the first out off the ground from Mark Adair’s first ball - and a four in his 20 off 10 balls before he was bowled by a superb yorker from Chris Jordan.

ETPL

Freddie Klaassen took the huge wicket of big hitter Tim David, much to the relief of Matthew Humphreys who dropped him on one. The Australian could add only eight more before Tim Tector showed his Ireland team-mate how to take a high catch.

Canada international Yuvraj Samra was unbeaten on 19 from 11 balls  and Bas de Leede was the only other Amsterdam player to get a bat.

Jordan Neill was given his first game by the Flames but in a five-over game he was never likely to be involved and, unfortunately that was the way it turned out.

David Miller has also flown in from South Africa to bolster the Belfast squad but Stirling and Maxwell ensured he wasn’t needed  as they completed a fast, comfortable victory.