KING CITY, Ont. — Graham McDonnell batted for 67 runs as Ireland recorded a 29-run victory over Canada in an ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup qualifying match Monday.
Canada drops to 3-2 and is third in the qualifying tournament behind Ireland and the U.S.
Ireland made 193-8 batting first against Canada, with McDonnell’s perfectly timed innings of 67 not out from 65 balls helping set a good target, while Paul Stirling made a gritty 31 off 65 balls.
Opening bowler Manny Aulkah was the pick of the Canadian attack taking 3-41.
In reply, Canada lost regular wickets with the top five all making double figures, yet nobody going on to make more than 28, as it was dismissed for 164 all out.
It was this that really cost the hosts, with Lee Nelson’s spin bowling causing trouble for the Canada line-up as he finished with brilliant figures of 3-26 from his 10 overs.
“It feels pretty good to win the award and the game, even though it was a pretty average performance,” said McDonnell, who won Man of the Match honours.