Tuesday, 5th July 2005

Joyce century guides Ireland to brink of World Cup qualification

Ireland recovered from a batting blip against United Arab Emirates to move to the verge of qualification for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 with a two-wicket victory at Stormont. The host nation overcame its toughest ICC Trophy 2005 challenge to date thanks to an unbeaten century from the tournament's leading run scorer, Middlesex’s Ed Joyce. After losing the toss and being asked to bat, UAE posted its highest total of the event. Captain Khurram Khan and Javed Ismail both contributed half-centuries to a competitive 230 all out. The Ireland reply began disastrously as an inspirational opening spell from Ali Asad Abbas had the hosts reeling at 23 for 4. The right-arm paceman's bowling accounted for three wickets and he claimed the fourth to fall with a run-out. It required the composed presence of Joyce to steady the Ireland reply and he found and able ally in Trent Johnston. The pair put on 122 for the fifth wicket before Johnston was bowled for 67. Three more wickets fell as the match built to a tense climax but Ireland scraped home with one ball to spare, Paul Mooney scrambling the single required to seal the two-wicket victory. Live score updates from all ICC Trophy 2005 matches are available online on the official tournament website www.icc-trophy.com

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