Ireland have most to savour

Andre Botha scored his highest ever score to give Ireland the bonus points © Getty Images

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The rain-interrupted Intercontinental Cup clash between Ireland and Scotland petered out into a draw in Belfast.

However, it was Irish eyes which were smiling after the hosts claimed the six bonus points on offer for a first-innings lead, while the Scots left Stormont empty-handed.

A punishing sixth-wicket partnership between Andre Botha and Alex Cusack proved decisive as the Irish cruised beyond the 314 the Scots had carved out on the opening two days.

South Africa-born Botha and Australia-born Cusack both hit big centuries in a 234-run stand before the captains shook hands on a draw with the Irish on 473 for seven.

The outcome means Scotland have taken just 23 points from a possible 60 in their opening three fixtures in the ICC's flagship four-day tournament for associate countries.

With their remaining four games all away from home, Ryan Watson's side face an uphill struggle to secure a top-two finish and a place in the final next autumn.

Craig Wright made an early breakthrough for Scotland

Following Saturday's washout, play resumed after lunch with the Scots needing to claim six wickets while Ireland required 136 for the bonus points.

The signs were bright for the visitors when Craig Wright induced a false shot from Niall O'Brien with just two runs added.

Neil McCallum took a simple catch and with the total on 181 for five the match was wide open.

However, Wright turned from saint to sinner soon after when Botha, on 71, edged John Blain into the slips and the big all-rounder crucially spilled the chance and Ireland seized control.

Botha took advantage of the let-off to record his highest first-class score, facing 238 balls and hitting 22 boundaries and one six in his 186.

Cusack, meanwhile, marked his top-flight debut by reaching a superb 130, with 16 fours and two sixes before Greenock's Richie Berrington had him caught behind.

Wright finished Scotland's top bowler with 3-93 from his 27 overs.

The Scots can afford no further slip-ups when they travel for an African double-header against Kenya and Namibia in March.