SCO vs IRE, Fifth T20I Review: Ireland move to top of table following dominant win against Scotland

Scotland and Ireland took on each other in the fifth game of the ongoing T20I tri-series, including the Netherlands as well. Both Scotland and Ireland faced off at the Sportpark Westvliet inas well The Hague on Thursday, May 23. The clash began with Scotland coming in to bat first after winning the toss. 

The side opened with George Munsey and Ollie Hairs scoring 12 and nine runs, respectively. Michael Jones scored 23 runs in 12 deliveries, with skipper Richie Berrington adding 13 runs on the board. 

After a subpar start with the bat, the knocks of Matthew Cross and Michael Leask stabilised the innings for Scotland. Cross scored 35 runs in 30 balls, with Leask adding 34 runs on the board. Scotland managed to post a total of 157 runs in the first innings. 

As for Ireland, Mark Adair and Craig Young were the highest wicket-takers, with three wickets each to their names. Ben White and Gareth Delany took one wicket each as well.

Aiming to chase down the target of 158 runs, Ireland got off to a sublime start to the run chase as opener Andy Balbirnie scored 56 runs in 46 deliveries. Furthermore, skipper Paul Stirling added 31 runs on the board in 21 deliveries, with Lorcan Tucker playing an unbeaten knock of 55 runs in 38 deliveries. 

The middle order of Ireland found themselves in a spot of trouble as Harry Tector was sent packing for just three runs, George Dockrell scored four runs, Curtis Campher was dismissed on a golden duck, and Gareth Delany stayed unbeaten on one run. The knock of Lorcan Tucker helped Ireland register a win, and win the game by five wickets. 

As for Scotland, Chris Sole was the highest wicket-taker for the side with three wickets to his name. Safyaan Sharif and Chris Greaves took one wicket each but it was not enough to propel Scotland to a win in the fifth game.