Luck of the Irish as Joyce let-off helps avoid shock defeat to UAE
BATSMAN Ed Joyce enjoyed a miraculous escape as Ireland rode their luck to beat the part-timers of the United Arab Emirates at the Cricket World Cup in Brisbane yesterday.
Joyce was 16 not out when a delivery struck his off-stump – lighting up the wicket – only for the bails to jitter and fall back into place, allowing him to make 21 more decisive runs. The former England left-hander’s contribution proved telling as Ireland reached their target of 279 with just four balls to spare in a tense finish at the Gabba.
Man of the match Gary Wilson top scored with 80 and Kevin O’Brien hit 50 off 24 balls as they won by two wickets and maintained their 100 per cent start to the tournament.
A maiden one-day international century from Shaiman Anwar helped the UAE to amass 278-9, thanks to 147 off their final 15 overs.
Ireland looked in danger of a major upset when they slipped to 97-4 in reply, but O’Brien and Wilson steadied the innings and George Dockrell scored the winning runs.