Ireland beaten despite Johnson hat-trick

Basement boys Ireland crashed to a fourth straight South Conference defeat in the Friends Provident Trophy against Gloucestershire despite captain Trent Johnston taking a hat-trick in Dublin.

The 33-year-old Australian-born all-rounder produced a mesmerising spell of swing bowling, claiming three wickets in the 18th over to transform Gloucestershire from a comfortable 94 for one to 94 four in the space of just three balls.

However, a dogged innings of 77 from Marcus North and a quickfire 70 from in-form Mark Hardinges saw Gloucestershire reach 248 all out from their 50 overs.

In response, Johnston’s bowling heroics proved in vain as Gloucestershire bowlers Ashley Noffke, Will Rudge and Carl Greenidge decimated the Ireland top-order, as the hosts were skittled for a paltry 63 with 29 overs to spare.

On a batsman-friendly wicket, Gloucester won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat against the Irish pace attack spearheaded by South African bowler Nantie Hayward.

It was Irish overseas star Hayward who claimed the first wicket of the day, bowling Gloucestershire opener Ian Fisher for just eight with the score on just 17.

Kadeer Ali and North added 77 for the second wicket before Johnston produced the goods in the third over of his spell.

Ali was Johnston’s first victim, edging a delivery behind to Gary Wilson, filling in for Ireland’s first-choice wicketkeeper Niall O’Brien – who is away playing for Northamptonshire.

Chris Taylor lasted just one ball as he was trapped in front of his stumps by Johnston, before captain Alex Gidman offered no shot and was clean bowled.

Ireland’s players celebrated Johnston’s hat-trick as though they had won the competition itself.

Johnston also claimed the wicket of David Brown for just seven as the fast bowler finished with impressive figures of four wickets for 13 runs from his 10 overs, which included four maidens.

In reply Ireland suffered a horrendous start, losing their first six wickets with just 34 runs on the board, including New Zealand debutant batsman Jesse Ryder, who went for just one after signing for Ireland as an overseas professional this week.

Missing their trio of county-based players, Boyd Rankin, Eoin Morgan, and O’Brien, plus the injured Andre Botha – who damaged his finger against Somerset last weekend – Ireland have struggled to compete in this competition.

And their frailties with the bat came to the fore again as Jeremy Bray, William Porterfield, Kevin O’Brien and Ryder all fell cheaply.

Johnston managed to take his side past 50 with an unbeaten 22 – but Peter Gillespie and Andrew White were the only other batsmen to make it into double figures.

It was left to Greenidge to wrap up the resounding win when he mopped up the tail to finish with four for 15 from five overs.