World Cup hangover as Ireland lose match and Botha at Taunton

THE World Cup hangover continued for Ireland yesterday with a second heavy defeat in the Friends Provident Trophy, at Taunton, and the loss of Andre Botha for at least two weeks with a dislocated finger.

Justin Langer’s workmanlike 132 steered Somerset to 341 for eight and a 128-run victory that would have been more emphatic but for a half-century by wicketkeeper Gary Wilson, when the game was all but over.

Australian Test star Langer hit 16 fours in an innings that lasted 140 balls and was given fine support by compatriot Cameron White, who blasted three sixes in a run-a-ball 65.

Langer had gone — bowled attempting to run Dave Langford-Smith to third man — and Somerset were accelerating on a good batting pitch when Botha got his hand in the way of a fierce drive by Ian Blackwell. Technically, it was a caught and bowled chance, but the South African-born all-rounder must have rued his instinctive action as he immediately left for hospital where an x-ray revealed damaged tendons.

Somerset’s total was only eight lower than Ireland had conceded almost exactly 10 years ago — the national bowlers must break into a sweat when they travel to south-west England.

The reply was quickly another man down when William Porterfield edged behind in the first over, and, after five hard-struck fours, opening partner Jeremy Bray lost his middle stump to the same bowler, Charl Willoughby.

Peter Gillespie steadied the ship, but then skied a soft catch on 32, and, after Kyle McCallan had departed for a breezy 34 from 27 balls, the stage was left for Wilson to score his first half-century for Ireland.

Langford-Smith gained some revenge for the pounding he took with the ball, by lifting four sixes in the final knocking, but perhaps the biggest plus on a disappointing day for Ireland was a steady debut by South African fast bowler Nantie Hayward, who took three for 60.

Somerset 341-8 (Langer 132, White 65, Haywood 3-60) Ireland 213 (Wilson 51) .