Ireland race to victory

Jeremy Bray hit an unbeaten 41 to take Ireland to their first World Cup win © CricketEurope

Ireland enhanced their reputation as a cricketing country of note when they inflicted a seven-wicket victory over Canada in their World Cup warm-up match at St Augustine’s Sir Frank Worrell ground.

Set 116 runs for victory, Ireland got to their target with seven wickets and more than 23 overs to spare, with opener Jeremy Bray hitting an unbeaten 41.

The Irish, making their debut in this year’s World Cup, looked more professional and focused than their more experienced opponents - who are appearing in the tournament for a third time.

After winning the toss and opting to field, Ireland were indebted to some fine bowling from Dave Langford-Smith, who took four wickets for 41 runs from his 10 overs.

Trent Johnston has warned Ireland’s World Cup opponents they must take his country seriously and predicted Ireland will spring a surprise over the next month or so.

Trent Johnston is delighted with Ireland © CricketEurope

He said: “We are indeed going to make an impression in this World Cup. We have been bowling well, our batting has been improving and our fielding has been great and, if we can continue this way, then we are going to be noticed.”

Johnston praised opening fast bowling duo Langford-Smith and Boyd Rankin.

“Both Dave and Boyd [Rankin], who opened the bowling, have done very well,” Johnston said.

“Their confidence is high and they are inspiring the rest of the team.”

Langford-Smith, whose controlled swing of the ball accounted for three wickets against South Africa on Monday, continued his impressive tour.

He removed both openers in his first spell with the ball, before returning later in the innings to grab two more victims.

Canada’s innings got off to a flying start with 11 runs coming off Langford-Smith’s first over with both openers Abdool Samad and Geoff Barnett hitting boundaries.

But Langford-Smith and his opening partner Rankin soon settled into rhythm to take control of the situation.

Canny opening bowler Dave Langford-Smith continued to impress © CricketEurope

Langford-Smith had Samad (eight) edging an outswinger in the fifth over to give Niall O’Brien a straightforward catch behind the wicket to leave Canada 25 for one.

One run later, Rankin produced a sharp off-cutter to trap Ashish Bagai lbw for one, and with the score on 47, Barnett (27) drove Langford-Smith into the welcoming hands of Paul Mooney at mid-off in the 13th over.

Canada plunged into further trouble when John Mooney, who had replaced Rankin, removed Ian Billcliff (six) with his first ball.

Billcliff played a loose drive and was caught at short extra cover by Ireland captain Trent Johnston with the score on 56.

The normally aggressive Canada captain John Davison, whose 67-ball century against the West Indies in 2003 is the fastest on record in the tournament, was forced to curb his natural instinct.

After making a painstaking nine in 23 balls, frustration stepped in and he attempted to punch Johnston through the offside only to see Andre White take a superb catch at cover, leaving Canada 77 for five.

Ashif Mulla made 11 before he was trapped lbw by Paul Mooney in the 23rd over to leave his team 84 for six.

Kyle McCallan © CricketEurope

Langford-Smith was then reintroduced into the attack and immediately removed Sunil Dhaniram (six), who was caught behind with the score on 94.

He also accounted for George Codrington (four) at 106 before off-spinner Kyle McCallan then dismissed the final two batsmen at no personal cost off his five balls.

Qaiser Ali was lbw and Austin Codrington was caught by Paul Mooney at square leg as the innings ended.

Ireland lost the wickets of Kenneth Carroll (one), Eoin Morgan (18) and Niall O’Brien (10) but Bray and Andre Botha (22 not out) took their team to victory, adding an unbeaten 45 for the fourth wicket.

Bray struck five fours and faced 73 balls in his 114 minutes at the crease while Botha’s first four scoring shots were all boundaries.

Both Henry Osinde and Austin Codrington took 2-23 while Samad took 1-11.

Davison admitted his team put on a disappointing performance.

“We never applied ourselves today but I am going to tell my players to forget about this game and reflect on how well we have played in our preparations to get here,” he said.

“If we take this game out of the equation, we will find that the players will be much more confident going into the tournament.”

Canada also lost their first warm up match by 77 runs, against Pakistan.