Sunday 6 March 2011

Yuvraj, Pathan take India to five-wicket win over Ireland

Yuvraj Singh snared his first five-wicket haul in one-day internationals as India dismissed Ireland for 207 in 47.5 overs in the World Cup Group B match on Sunday. Yuvraj ripped through the middle-order to finish with 5-31 as Ireland was left struggling to meet expectations after pulling off a stun ning three-wicket victory over England in its previous game at the same venue.
The left-arm spinner's dismissals included Ireland captain William Porterfield and Kevin O'Brien, who blazed the fastest hundred ever in the World Cup in his last innings.
Porterfield struck a cautious 75 and was involved in a 113-run stand for the third wicket with Niall O'Brien (46) but the Ireland batting lineup could not build significantly on that partnership. Porterfield, who had a reprieve off Zaheer Khan before he had scored a run, struck six fours and a 'free hit' six towards square-leg off Piyush Chawla before he was caught by Harbhajan Singh in the covers off Yuvraj.
Niall O'Brien's run out dismissal triggered a collapse as Yuvraj took charge with a controlled spell of slow bowling.
Niall O'Brien, who completed 1,000 runs in one-day internationals during Sunday's innings, was short of his ground following a throw from Virat Kohli at cover.
Ireland was cruising along at 122-2 in the 27th over at that point, but lost its last eight wickets for only 85 runs.
Part-timer Yuvraj made up for another disappointing performance by leg-spinner Chawla, who went for 15 runs in an over.
Earlier, Ireland lost two wickets to pace bowler Khan after being sent in to bat and was reduced to 9-2 in the third over.
Khan saw Yusuf Pathan spill Porterfield's catch at second slip off his third delivery, but struck with the very next ball as he bowled Paul Stirling through bat and pad. He then had Ed Joyce caught behind off an inside edge.

No comments: