Joyce brothers steer Ireland into World Cup

Brothers Ed and Dominick Joyce both chalked up half-centuries to steer ICC hosts Ireland to their first-ever World Cup with victory over Denmark at Bangor.

Ireland went into the game knowing only a heavy defeat and a big win for Bermuda over the USA would scupper their bid to reach one-day cricket’s premier tournament.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Ireland were all out for 222 before bowling out the Danes for 149 to claim victory.

Coach Adrian Birrell said: “It’s great news for Irish cricket. I came here three years ago to start working towards the World Cup. Now we’ve achieved it it’s great news.

“It’s a boost for the future of cricket in Ireland and it will help funding.”

However, the Irish did not have it all their own way – for the fourth game in succession, openers Jason Molins and Jeremy Bray failed to deliver.

Captain Molins fell for just two when he was caught by Baljit Singh off Henrik Hansen and Singh was also in the right place to remove Andre Botha for a duck.

Middlesex star Ed Joyce once again steadied the ship after two centuries earlier in the tournament, racing to a run-a-ball half century including six boundaries and two sixes.

However, having added 95 with Peter Gillespie, he failed to reach three figures again when he was caught at deep midwicket for 60 by Niels Kopperholdt off Bobby Chawla.

Irish wickets began to tumble before Dominick Joyce went close to eclipsing his elder brother with a half century off 37 balls before falling to David Borchersen.

In reply, Denmark barely threatened to spoil Ireland’s big day – Baljit Singh leading the reply with 57 in the absence of top-quality help from the other end.

Singh was eventually caught by Ed Joyce off the bowling of the impressive Trent Johnston to take the score to 131 for six. The Danes suffered a collapse after his departure with Andrew White grabbing three wickets for just 17.

The result means Ireland op group A and move on to a semi-final at Clontarf on Saturday.