Hopes inspires Australia to win over Ireland
by CricketArchive Staff Reporter
DateLine: 18th June 2010
Australian all-rounder James Hopes took five wickets for 14 runs as Australia managed to beat Ireland by 39 runs in the one-off one-day international. Australia could make only a modest score of 231 for nine in 50 overs.
For Australia opening batsman and keeper Tim Paine top scored with 81.
Winning the toss, Ponting elected to bat first. Paine's 122-ball effort was the backbone of Australia's below-par total. Australia failed to assert their superiority over the top-ranked Associate nation.
Ponting and Cameron White both got in but did not cash in on good starts and when White was out at the end of the 38th over, Australia were 152 for four.
The stage was set for Michael Hussey but he could manage only eight off 17 balls before he was caught at mid-wicket. Australia managed to score just 79 runs from the last 12 overs.
For the home-side Irish openers William Porterfield and Paul Stirling shared a stand of 80 in 11 overs to spark thoughts of a shock win. But Ireland's innings fell away, with medium-pacer Hopes doing the bulk of the damage as the hosts were bowled out for 192 with eight overs to spare.
The turning point was the introduction of James Hopes into the attack by Australia captain Ricky Ponting. Taking pace off the ball and bowling outswingers, Hopes appeared fortunate to get the wicket of Alex Cusack for 30, awarded a leg before decision when the ball seemed to be going over the top. After that the 31-year-old Queenslander was virtually unplayable and his five wickets helped reduce Ireland to 156 for nine.
Both Harris and off-spinner Nathan Hauritz finished with two for 40.
