Scots can’t stop Joyce as Ireland march on

Ireland kept their ICC World Twenty20 qualifying campaign on track at the expense of Scotland, with a 17-run victory in Dubai.

Ireland have now won four in a row since their opening day defeat to Namibia, while Scotland look likely to be edged out following their second loss.

Ed Joyce was the Irish match-winner, scoring 78 in 58 balls in a total of 159 for five.

Gary Wilson (26) and Alex Cusack (22) topped up the score but it was Joyce, with six fours and three sixes, who did the real damage.

Trent Johnston took two early Scottish wickets before Kyle Coetzer started scoring freely in the middle order to drag his side back into contention.

He made 62, including four sixes, before all-rounder Kevin O’Brien had him caught and bowled.

O’Brien finished with three wickets as Ireland closed out the win, with Scotland 142 for seven at the close.

However, Ireland received the bad news yesterday that all-rounder John Mooney has been ruled out of the remainder of the qualifiers with a torn hamstring.