Canada gained their first-ever T20 World Cup match with a shocking 12-run victory in opposition to Eire in New York on Friday.
Defending a goal of simply 138, the non-Take a look at nation bowled and fielded expertly to carry Eire to 7-125 from their full 20 overs.
Get on board Kayo and watch each recreation of each spherical of the NRL + AFL Seasons dwell and advert break away throughout play. New to Kayo? Begin Your Free Trial Right now >
From 0-26, Eire misplaced six wickets for 33 runs as they slumped to 6-59, with Andrew Balbirnie (17) and Lorcan Tucker (10) the one top-order batters to achieve double figures.
George Dockrell (30 not out) and Mark Adair (34) revived Irish hopes throughout a partnership of 62 in seven overs.
The seventh-wicket duo lowered the goal to 17 off the final six balls. However Canada paceman Jeremy Gordon held his nerve fantastically, conceding simply three runs and dismissing Adair with the second ball of the twentieth over off a skyed caught and bowled likelihood.
The 37-year-old Guyana-born Gordon completed with wonderful figures of 2-16 from his most 4 overs as Canada, the lowest-ranked staff within the match, loved their finest day in worldwide cricket since defeating Bangladesh on the 2003 World Cup.
Victory meant Canada bounced again from a gap defeat by fellow non-Take a look at nation the US, with the co-hosts then blowing Group A large open because of an excellent Tremendous Over win in opposition to Pakistan in Dallas on Thursday.
However Eire’s second successive loss on the match, following an eight-wicket defeat by India, left them dealing with an early exit.
Canada themselves slumped to 4-53 on Friday after dropping the toss earlier than a key stand of 75 in 10 overs between Barbados-born left-hander Nicholas Kirton (49) and Shreyas Movva (37) helped take them to a complete of 7-137.
Pitches on the specifically constructed floor in Lengthy Island have been criticised for his or her uneven bounce however Friday’s strip was notably extra placid.
The largest problem for batters was a gradual outfield that denied them full worth for his or her photographs – nonetheless a fear forward of Sunday’s showpiece match on the venue between arch rivals India and Pakistan.
Kirton, nevertheless, nonetheless hit 16 off one Craig Younger over, a return helped by two straight sixes, earlier than his 35-ball innings ended when he gloved Barry McCarthy to quick wonderful leg.
“It wasn’t so unhealthy, bar the center of the wicket, a fairly good wicket to bat on to be sincere,” stated Kirton, the participant of the match.
“The partnership (with Movva) was crucial, it obtained us over the road.
“It’s excellent to get our first win within the World Cup, hopefully we are able to proceed from energy to energy. Out subsequent focus is Pakistan, have a relaxation day tomorrow (Saturday) and get again within the nets.”
For an Eire facet extra used to inflicting shocks at Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) occasions than being on the receiving finish, it was a bitter reversal of fortune.
“We have been off in all three sides (batting, bowling and fielding) right now and that wasn’t adequate,” Eire captain Paul Stirling stated.
“Hopefully we are able to present a greater recreation once we go to Miami subsequent week (to play the USA).”
