Stirling job sees Irish eye title

OUT WITH the old, in with the new — as the debate over Eoin Morgan’s future continued yesterday his replacement helped Ireland to beat Italy by four wickets at Malahide and move a game closer to retaining the European Championship.

Paul Stirling, a 17-year-old right-hander from Belfast, ended a dismal run in the national team by stroking a composed 56 not out to steer his side past Italy’s 158 for six with 13.1 overs to spare.

After the game, national coach Phil Simmons confirmed that he is still awaiting Morgan’s response to an ultimatum that he either makes himself available for all four days of this weekend’s Twenty20 World Cup qualifiers in Belfast, or that he misses the event.

After scoring 70 against Northants back in May, Stirling was lauded as next in the Ed Joyce, Morgan production line and an invitation to a trial with Middlesex followed — but before his second half century for Ireland yesterday he had not managed double figures in eight one-day innings.

The youngster’s main problem has been poor shot selection but with the exception of a couple of unwise hoicks against leg-spinner Hemantha Jayasena that fell safe, he played sensibly throughout an innings that lasted 79 balls and contained four boundaries.

Italy, who won the toss, batted without ambition and seemed happy to push the singles, even in the final overs, rather than risk being bowled out which is their normal fate against Ireland.

Kevin O’Brien built on a good spell against Holland on Monday with two for 27 while Alex Cusack also claimed two victims and William Porterfield held a catch and executed a straightforward run out to remove Joe Scuderi, who was once 12th man for Australia.

Perhaps with half a mind already on tomorrow’s match against Scotland that will decide the title, Ireland lost cheap wickets before Stirling and Andrew Poynter settled nerves with a fifth wicket stand of 60.

At Malahide (Italy won toss): ITALY 158-5 (50 overs) (A Cusack 2-28, K O’Brien 2-27) lost to IRELAND 159-6 (36.5 overs) (P Stirling 56no, G Wilson 32) by FOUR WICKETS Full score: http://www.cricketeurope4.net/LIVE/7/live.shtml Tomorrow: Ireland v Scotland, Clontarf.