ICC WC Qualifier: Ireland beat PNG by four wickets
March 6 (CRICKETNMORE) - A career-best 151 by Papua New Guinea (PNG) opener Tony Ura was not enough to prevent Ireland from registering their second straight victory when they won by six wickets.
The 28-year-old, who was the ninth batsman out, hit 10 fours and six sixes to carry his side to 235 all out in 50 overs. This was 64.26 per cent of the total, the highest-ever in an all-out ODI innings. Together with Chad Soper (25), Ura added 83 runs for the seventh wicket after PNG were struggling at 116 for seven in the 33rd over.
For Ireland, off-spinner Andy McBrine claimed three for 38 while fast bowlers Boyd Rankin and Kevin O’Brien bagged two wickets apiece conceding 41 and 53 runs, respectively.
In their turn at the wicket, Ireland were led from the front by their captain William Porterfield, who struck his 11th career century as the European side achieved their second consecutive victory with four wickets and five balls to spare.
Porterfield scored 111 from 133 balls with the help of 12 fours, and put on 108 runs for the third wicket with Ed Joyce, who contributed a 69-ball 53 with four fours.
Brief Scores
PNG 235 all out, 50 overs (Tony Ura 151, Chad Soper 25; Andy McBrine 3-38, Boyd Rankin 2-41, Kevin O’Brien 2-53)
Ireland 237-6, 49.1 overs (William Porterfield 111, Ed Joyce 53, Paul Stirling 27; Assad Vala 2-39)
Player of the match – Tony Ura (PNG)
ICC Media Release