The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Ireland strikes with two early wickets

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Saturday, Mar 31, 2007
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Ireland strikes with two early wickets

GEORGETOWN: England was hoping Ed Joyce's inside knowledge of the Irish bowling attack would help him and the other batsmen. But Joyce lasted just five balls and scored one run. He was comprehensively bowled by Boyd Rankin of the first ball of the second over of Friday's England vs. Ireland World Cup Super 8 match here on Friday.

The former Ireland opener shouldered arms at a Rankin ball that pitched on a good length and cut back slightly to knock out off stump. Joyce helped Ireland reach the World Cup before switching to England when he qualified on residency criteria last year.

He scored half centuries in the Group C wins over Canada and Kenya and was in good touch until facing his native Ireland. The Irish celebrated as Joyce trudged back to the pavilion, looking bemused.

Vaughan goes

Joyce, who made only 10 in his limited-overs international debut against Ireland at Belfast last June, was soon followed by England skipper Michael Vaughan. Rankin had Vaughan caught behind for 6 as England slipped to 23 for two in 5.2 overs after electing to bat.

Kevin Pietersen then joined Ian Bell to take the England score to 45 after 10 overs. Bell was on 17 with Pietersen on 11.

England kept the same team which won the last first round match against Kenya, while Ireland captain Trent Johnston was back after missing his team's last match against the West Indies due to a shoulder injury.

The teams: England: Michael Vaughan (captain), Ed Joyce, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Ravi Bopara, Paul Nixon, Sajid Mahmood, James Anderson, Monty Panesar,

Ireland: William Porterfield, Jeremy Bray, Eoin Morgan, Niall O'Brien, Andre Botha, Kevin O'Brien, Trent Johnston (captain), Kyle McCallan, Andrew White, Dave Langford-Smith, Boyd Rankin. — Agencies

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