Philippe le Roux struck a battling 83 not out in Trinidad yesterday to help Ireland to a 94-run victory over Canada in the first round of the U-19 World Cup Plate competition and a shot at automatic qualification for the 2024 event.

Railway Union batter Le Roux rescued Ireland from the depths of 90-7, adding 48 with Jamie Forbes and another 37 with Muzamil Sherzad to lift his side to 179 all out on a difficult surface.

Canada found batting equally hard going with only one of their top six reaching double figures as they were dismissed for just 85 in 29.2 overs, with Reuben Wilson claiming 3-18 and Nathan McGuire and Forbes taking two wickets each.

“We had a shaky enough start with the bat, but dragged it back really well,” skipper Tim Tector said. “Philippe’s innings was great, as he came it at a tough time with wickets falling but batted the way he likes – taking the game on against the spinners, and rotating the strike well. He puts in a lot of work behind-the-scenes and it really showed.”

For all the brave talk about giving India and South Africa a run for their money in the group stages, the objective for the Boys in Green was always a strong showing in the Plate once they were eliminated from the tournament proper.

The top 10 teams in the Caribbean, plus New Zealand, who pulled out of this edition, will not have to qualify next time and Ireland will be assured of their place if they can defeat Zimbabwe or old rivals Scotland in the Plate semi-final on Saturday.