ICC Intercontinental Cup and Shield

IRELAND v NETHERLANDS Both countries were fielding below-strength sides so the game became a test of which one had the greater depth in quality in their domestic cricket. The Dutch chose to bat and began well, reaching 82 for one after an hour and a half, with Wilfred Diepeveen scoring freely and Tom de Grooth playing a defensive role at the other end. The introduction of spin to the attack produced spectacular results. Although both Irish spinners were making their first-class debuts, they gave masterful displays of their art. The scoring rate stagnated with only five runs in six overs and the Dutch again displayed their frailty to spin, unsure whether it is best to defend or to attack. Neither policy worked as the Dutch lost nine wickets for 106 runs in 41 overs. George Dockrell picked up four wickets and Albert van der Merwe three. Ireland lost both openers cheaply before Alex Cusack and Kevin O’Brien batted confidently to take them to 88 for two at stumps. Honours were even for much of the morning on the second day. O’Brien and Cusack both fell in the first half-hour and Gary Wilson misread a ball from spinner Pieter Seelaar and was leg-before. The total was then 153 for five. A magnificent batting display followed as Andrew White and John Mooney crafted a sixth-wicket stand of 221 in just under three hours, both batsmen scoring centuries. White reached his off 167 balls with 13 fours and one six and Mooney in 129 balls with 17 fours. Mohammad Kashif broke the partnership three balls before tea, before going on to take all the remaining wickets to finish with five for 53. Ireland had a lead of 220. The Dutch showed little fight in reply as Trent Johnston took three wickets in his first five overs and Allan Eastwood’s hostile opening spell of pace was rewarded with the wicket of de Grooth. The visitors were in serious difficulty at 38 for four but Peter Borren and Nick Statham raised the total to 77 by the close. The Dutch capitulated on the third day, losing their remaining six wickets for only 65 runs. They succumbed to the combination of pace from Eastwood, who finished with four wickets, and spin from van der Merwe, who picked up three. They were also the victim of some excellent Irish fielding as O’Brien, James Hall, Wilson and Johnston all made smart catches behind the wicket. Even without their players contracted to English counties, Ireland proved a strong all-round side and fully deserved their comprehensive win. The Netherlands again showed that they had some good individual cricketers and that they could compete effectively in individual sessions but could not maintain the consistency required over four days. 210 ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-10