The result of Ireland’s second game at the Under-19 World Cup was always going to be inevitable, it was all about their performance against one of the powerhouses of world cricket.

India’s final victory margin, having been asked to bat first, was 174 runs with Ireland bowled out in the 39th over for 133. Five players reached double figures with St Johnston’s Scott Macbeth top scorer and Josh Cox, after a slow start, again impressing after his century against Uganda in the first game.

This was a different level, though, and when India’s opening pair had put on 162 by the end of the 25th over, it was frightening what Ireland could have been chasing.

However, credit to the bowlers, who took two for 59 in the next 15 overs, denying both batsmen their centuries, and three more wickets in the last five overs threatened to, incredibly, keep the Indians to below 300.
But Raj Hangargekar, promoted from No 10 because of his power-hitting, smashed three successive sixes in the last over from Muzi Sherzad and a four off the final ball gave them a total of 307 for five.

Sherzad, the Afghanistan refugee, who won a fast bowling competition, to break into the Ireland youth system, deservedly finished with three wickets and Matthew Humphreys deserved better figures than one for 69. The best bowling however was by slow left armer Jamie Forbes who, amid the mayhem, conceded only two boundaries to complete his 10 overs with one for 38.

Ireland were much too respectful at the start of their innings, unable to put any pressure on the Indian bowlers and with the help of a suicidal run out, collapsed to 17 for three.

Cox scored only seven from his first 30 balls but then hit 21 from his next 15 before he was caught behind to leave Ireland on 66 for five.
Macbeth hit three fours and two sixes – more than anyone else – in his 40 ball innings and received good support from Nathan McGuire (14) and Matthew Humphreys who finished 16 not out.

Ireland are back in action tomorrow with a shoot-out against South Africa for a place in the Super Eights.