Irish Cricket 2024

Furze99

Let's hope for a couple of quick wickets in the morning or our goose will be cooked.

McBrine was a bit unlucky again but why didn't Adair come back for 2/3 overs at the end. That's how we've taken most wickets in this match with a bit of pace.

wicorthered

We just don't play enough first class cricket. It's so different to the other formats and we just don't have the experience. They've done really well to be so competitive in this test, but realistically it's extremely difficult to win a test match when the majority of the team haven't played a first class game in 8 months

dohboy

Finely poised, but Afghanistan are edging towards controling the test. Was hoping we'd make 300 and give us a bigger cushion. Dunno if we can chase 150 ... fine effort by the boys though so far, and a lively third day in prospect.

Mysterypunter

26 in front with 7 wickets left, I wouldn't say Afghanistan are controlling anything, but I'm disappointed the highest score of the innings was only 52. 4 or 5 of them got starts

VillaMad

Felt that none of the Irish lads ever really got in and just tried to tick the score over and so it sort of feels like an opportunity missed. Lead of 108 was good but not a match winning one.

Bowling wise, I felt Balbirnie kept McBrine back a bit too long as van Woerkom wasn't getting it done at all. Not sure why van Woerkom was picked over Dockrell on the evidence we have seen so far especially with Dockrell being a really decent middle/lower-order batsman also.

Hopefully Adair or McCarthy can get a quick one and get into that middle order quickly in the morning. Score is effectively 26/3 and it's hard to see Ireland chasing anything over 200.

Strumms

Balbernie not impressive with his captaincy..

can’t stand the manner in which Balbernie just lets games and situations drift… too reactionary instead of proactive, still way too cautious.

Having bowed out Afghanistan for 155 in the first innings… attack them…. Don’t take your foot off their necks. But he did….

then decided to experiment with a more attacking field when their batsmen were well set … weird….

KevIRL

Got the early wicket. Adair again. Afg 140/4

Mysterypunter

Hazmatullah made 55, highest score of the match. Hopefully get a few more quick ones. Good start

KevIRL

McCarthy gets another. 143/5. Gurbaz still in though

Mysterypunter

McCarthy has just bowled Jamal with a beautiful inswinger, Afghanistan 143/5

Mysterypunter

Wicket for Young, Janat out flicking to midwicket for 13. 173/6

KevIRL

Built the pressure nicely there. This is impressive stuff.

Get gurbaz soon pls

KevIRL

Young gets gurbaz clean bowled!

Mysterypunter

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121835653#Comment_121835653

That worked well

Mysterypunter

Afghanistan 48/4 off 26 overs in that session. Couldn't have gone any better

KevIRL

Can't let these two settle. Another wicket soon pls

wicorthered

It would be very very Ireland like to let these two put on 100b to win the game.

Balbirnie being passive again

KevIRL

Nice!

KevIRL

9 down now. Afg 207/9.

KevIRL

Lead now 110. Would be nice to get them out with the lead no more than 120 or 130

Mysterypunter

218 all out, Ireland need 111.

KevIRL

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121836066#Comment_121836066

Been a superb morning. Brilliant stuff from Ireland

Mysterypunter

For sure, very achievable target

Furze99

Surprised we persisted with spin quite so much when all the wickets bar one were taken by our faster bowlers. Let's hope Andy B will contribute a few runs here and we get a good start. Eminently achievable.

Mysterypunter

Walking wicket that Moor, dropped on 0

Furze99

If we can find a way to lose, we'll surely seek it out. Jaysus - 2 gone already.

Mysterypunter

8-2 now. Campher out first ball after Peter rabbit made a duck

KevIRL

Uh oh

wicorthered

My Lord!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Furze99

What's going on here? Tector very unfortunate with that decision to put it mildly.

Badly need Stirling and Balbirnie to put in a shift now.