O'Brien haunts Ireland

Niall O'Brien (left) showed no mercy for his countrymen

Niall O’Brien recorded his career-best score against the country of his birth as Northamptonshire Steelbacks romped past Ireland by eight wickets at Wantage Road.

O’Brien, who starred with gloves and bat for Ireland in last year’s World Cup, made 75, sharing an opening partnership of 179 with the in-form Stephen Peters, who smashed an unbeaten 103 off 129 balls as Northants cruised home with more than six overs to spare.

Peters succeeded where he just failed on Sunday, having made 90 against Nottinghamshire Outlaws in the Steelbacks’ previous Friends Provident Trophy Midlands clash.

Ireland had little to sing about with the bat either after posting just 203 for nine off their 50 overs - teenager Paul Stirling’s 70 the only score of real substance.

England left-armer Monty Panesar was back among the wickets with 3-36, with every Steelbacks bowler bar the economical South African Lance Klusener taking a wicket.

Northants made their first breakthrough when David Lucas dismissed skipper William Porterfield for 19 before James Hall (22) followed suit, guiding Johann Louw straight to David Sales at gully.

Panesar did not need long to make his mark, having Australian Alex Cusack leg-before in his second over.

Stirling took it upon himself to bring up Ireland’s 100, albeit in the 30th over, before smashing veteran spinner Jason Brown into the stands on the way to fifty.

Brown reduced the Irish to 116 for four in the 35th over after Reinhardt Strydom (seven) could only guide him to Louw.

Paul Stirling provided a crumb of comfort for Ireland

Stirling remained resilient, crashing Boje for successive sixes only for Kevin O’Brien’s batting woes to continue when he holed the South African out to Lucas for four.

Stephen Crook quickly removed Stirling’s off-stump as Ireland fell to 153 for six in the 42nd over, before Peters ran out Andrew White (16).

Panesar and keeper Niall O’Brien combined to dismiss Gary Wilson (16) with an over to go and Brown ended West Indian Ravi Rampaul’s quick slog as Ireland mustered 203.

Niall O’Brien attacked his Irish counterparts almost immediately, taking 12 off Rampaul in the seventh over before attacking brother Kevin as Northants raced to 47.

Ireland chopped and changed their bowlers but could do little to stop Niall O’Brien and partner Peters bringing up Northants’ hundred stand in the 23rd over.

Peters pulled Kevin O’Brien through mid-wicket to bring up his half-century from 77 balls before Niall O’Brien notched his own fifty shortly after.

The 26-year-old keeper inflicted more misery, crashing Kyle McCallan into the dressing room.

Peters took over the reins against McCallan before Niall O’Brien was eventually caught in the 36th over by his brother off Rampaul after a stand of 179.

Skipper Boje followed an over later for a duck with only a single added by Peters, but the opener kept his cool late on to hit his first century of the season and guide Northants home with Sales (17 not out) for company.