Match report Ireland v West Indians(match 1) by Gerry Byrne

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Scorecard:

Ireland v West Indians

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DateLine: 16th December 2004

 

G.Cooke returned to the Irish team having retired after coming back from a tour to South Africa in 2001 prior to the ICC Trophy in Toronto. He indicated this year that he was making himself available again for the Irish team.

 

A party of 13 was selected for these two matches. Cooke, N.J.O’Brien and A.G.A.M.McCoubrey (having been released from Kent and Essex respectively) replaced J.A.Bushe and G.Dros (not eligible for these matches) from the Northants match. Prior to the first match P.J.K.Mooney withdrew from the Squad having been injured. It was decided not to call up a replacement for him.

 

J.F.Mooney was 12th Man for this match.

 

These matches constituted the start of the West Indies tour of England. Their tour would commence with a triangular One Day International Tournament with England and New Zealand. In all West Indies would have 5 one day matches to warm up for that. The West Indies party comprised 14 players – those playing in this match plus R.Sarwan; R.D.Jacobs and Dwayne Smith

 

Cooke’s return to the Irish side did not last that very long. Firstly his son was hit on the head by a six hit by Brian Lara. Then shortly after that Cooke himself seemed to go over on his ankle and after a 10/15 minute delay while he was treated on the pitch he was brought to an ambulance – where his son was already being treated! It had been feared that Cooke had broken his ankle but it subsequently transpired he had damaged ligaments. He was unable to bat in the Irish innings.

 

This was the 4th match Lara had played against Ireland – but the first time he got beyond single figures. He made up for that in style scoring his 106 from 99 balls with 4 6’s and 12 4’s. There had been a huge appeal for LBW against him 2nd ball and before he got into double figures there was also a loud appeal for a catch at the wicket, both however turned down. Lara went on to win the Man of the Match award. The award was £500 and a Glass Decanter.

 

Ireland got off to a brisk start reaching 30 after 5 overs. However, they then began to lose wickets quickly and were never really in contention thereafter. Jeremy Bray was out for less than 50 for the first time in 5 matches. Had he reached 50 in 5 successive innings he would have created an Irish record. As it is he shares the record of 4 in successive innings with E.D.R.Shearer and S.F.Bergin.

 

The Ireland sub fielder was Gary Wilson. He had been wicket-keeper and opening batsman in the Under 19 Ireland side that took part in the World Cup in Bangladesh.

 

50 Partnerships

For Ireland
None
Against Ireland
4th wicket	139	Devon Smith/B.C.Lara

 

The two matches against West Indies were sponsored by Bank of Ireland.

 

(Article: Copyright © 2004 Gerry Byrne)