Porterfield leads Ireland to famous win

William Porterfield played a captain's knock of 69 for Ireland © Getty Images

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Captain William Porterfield led from the front to give Ireland their first victory in this season's Friends Provident Trophy as Warwickshire’s miserable start to the campaign continued.

The 23-year-old anchored the innings with a gutsy 69 as the home side passed Warwickshire Bears’ below-par 211 total with four wickets to spare to secure Ireland’s first home victory against a county in four years.

The Bears have yet to taste victory in one-day cricket this season and were again second best with the bat, though wicketkeeper Tony Frost, standing in for Tim Ambrose, top-scored with 56.

After winning the toss, Warwickshire chose to bat and pinch-hitter Neil Carter soon signalled their intent by smashing Phil Eaglestone over square leg for six.

But Eaglestone had his revenge with the first ball of his next over when Carter attempted the same shot only to top edge to Kyle McCallan at fine leg.

Fellow opener Darren Maddy, who had made a brisk 20 off 21 deliveries, was the next to fall when he was trapped lbw by Ravi Rampaul before Jonathan Trott was clean bowled by Alex Cusack for nine.

Ireland smelled blood when they grabbed two wickets in the space of two overs to leave Warwickshire struggling on 93 for five as Gary Kidd claimed the wickets of Ian Westwood (41) and Luke Parker (nine).

Frost and Michael Powell steadied the ship but they found runs hard to come by against the Irish spinners.

Tony Frost reignited his Warwickshire career with 56

But with eight overs left Frost cut loose hitting three fours off Rampaul as the wicketkeeper reached his first half-century since coming out of retirement earlier this year.

The 32-year-old did fall for 56 when he was bowled by Rampaul and Ant Botha (14) succumbed to Kevin O’Brien’s final delivery.

That gave Ireland a target of 212 and they were soon racing towards that total thanks to some destructive batting from Reinhardt Strydom.

South African paceman Monde Zondeki felt the brunt of his punishment as he was dispatched for three fours and one huge six inside his first three overs.

But the fireworks ended when Maddy had him lbw for 35.

Fortunately for Ireland, 17-year-old Paul Stirling was quick to pick up the baton.

The teenager hit two consecutive fours off Maddy but his bright innings was ended by a stunning one-handed catch by Trott off James Anyon.

Ireland cruised onto 116 for two at the 25-over mark before spinner Botha was brought into the attack and the move immediately paid dividends when Cusack (16) chipped him to Powell at midwicket.

Warwickshire gave themselves a fighting chance when Wilson fell for ten, edging Carter to Frost and Andrew White (12) was trapped lbw by Anyon.

But a huge six from O’Brien and some quick runs from Porterfield took the game away from the Bears.

Despite Zondeki finally disposing of Porterfield courtesy of another great catch by Trott, O’Brien had the final say hitting a thunderous six to seal a famous victory.