19 Mar 2011

Irealand beat Netherlands in their final World Cup match

11:47 am on 19 March 2011

All-rounder Paul Stirling cracked a 72-ball 101 as Ireland completed their cricket World Cup campaign on a winning note despite their group stage exit, with a six-wicket win over Netherlands.

The Dutch had posted a competitive 306 from their 50 overs on the back chiefly of 106 from Ryan ten Doeschate and 84 from skipper Peter Borren.

But their innings dramatically ran out of steam with their last four wickets falling in successive balls, all from run-outs, as they chased valuable extra runs in the final over from Kevin O'Brien.

From early in the Irish innings it was clear that the Dutch total would probably be found wanting on a batsman's delight of a wicket.

Stirling and captain William Porterfield (68) put on 177 for the first wicket and all their batsmen went on to make useful contributions before Kevin O'Brien lofted a huge six over long off to overhaul the Dutch total with 14 balls to spare.