Off Topic 2018 Cricket Season

If it ever stops raining we might get some cricket played......

To start things off a little bit of history is being made today as Ireland become an official test playing nation, playing Pakistan at Malahide. Play was due to start at 11am but yep it's raining although it is due to improve during the day.

Live updates here from RTE wesite.......https://www.rte.ie/sport/other-sport/2018/0511/962767-ireland-v-pakistan-updates/

 

Ireland did quite well to restrict Pakistan to 310, but are now struggling - 5 for 3 at lunch!

 

Not exactly going to plan at the moment......starting on 64-0 in 2nd innings having been bowled out for 130 first time around (some recovery from 7-4) Ireland have slipped to 74-2 in first half hour, Joyce run out in 2nd over and Balbirnie got a pair.......

 

Ireland need another 63 runs with 6 wickets remaining to make Pakistan bat again........117/4 (53/4 this session)

 

212-6 at tea and a lead of 32. There could be a bit of rain tomorrow apparently, so perhaps there's still a slight chance of Ireland avoiding defeat.

 

271/7 a lead of 91 runs.......a good effort and should at least take play into a final day.......Ireland can be happy with the performance for a first test no matter what the result.

 

Kevin O'Brien take a bow........

HAIL KEVIN O'BRIEN

Kevin O'Brien has become the first Ireland cricketer to score a Test century. Currently 101 not out in the historic maiden Test against Pakistan at Malahide.

How RTE reported it on their live text.....

Currently 297/7 a lead of 117, could be an interest final day.......

 

Excellent from Ireland and fantastic from Kevin O'Brien in particular - a century on his test debut at the age of 34. Ireland 319-7 at the close, with a lead of 139 and maybe an outside chance of winning from here.

 

We have a couple of decent batsmen here in Oz, chasing a start if anyone hears of anything.................

 

Will they be bringing their own sandpaper

 

No need to lug it all the way to the UK, there's plenty to go around with donations coming thick & fast from past and present English captains and alike.

 

O'Brien was out to the first ball he faced today and Ireland finally all out for 339, setting Pakistan 160 to win....

They've done well to make Pakistan bat a 2nd time and who knows what might happen if they can grab a few early wickets.......

 

1 down....6/1 off 2 overs

 

13-2 now. This could be Headingley 1981 revisited.

 

17/3.......

 

Pakistan settled things down a bit now....40/3 need another 120 to win

 

52/3 at lunch......still Pakistan's to lose but great performance by Irish bowlers........

 

Pakistan coasting now 108/3 just 52 more needed to win.......

 

136/3

 

The end is nigh.....158/5 just 2 needed.

Good effort by Ireland no disgrace in losing by 5 wickets. It was a stand of 120 odd for the 4 wicket that took the game away from them, but they can take great heart from the overall performance. Another 50 or so runs this morning could have made it very interesting........