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Ireland International Matches
Ireland lost to I Zingari by 10 wickets
2 Day, Phoenix Park, 25 August 1884
Scorecard
Derek Scott

The big defeat of this strong Irish side was a surprise and a disappointment. Perhaps the side was a little weak in bowling but a first innings of 95 gave them no chance. Of the 7 Irish players whose finale this was the most notable were W Hone Jun., the great player of the late 60's and 70's; AJ Fleming, considered by many to be the best player in the country - and what a finale he had!; and JAC Penny whose bowling and hitting prowess were more than useful. RL Pike appeared for the first time bowling his very slow "slows". For I Zingari there appeared P G.de Paravicini, the Cambridge University and Middlesex crack, CE Cottrell who played only twice for Middlesex in 1884 but took 13 wickets and AH Evans, who in 4 Varsity Matches (1878-1881) took 36 wickets for Oxford.

There was fine weather and a big crowd on the firstt day. It was the first match of the I Zingari tour and the Lord Lieutenant was present. The Irish display was poor, the collapse of the batting being as complete as it was unexpected. The IZ bowling was a little above average but the wicket was good and batting potentially strong. Yet 95 is all that could be mustered. Fleming's 45 not out was an innings worthy of his great reputation. At one stage it looked as it the visitors would barely top the Irish total, but the last 4 wickets put on 142 runs and the first innings lead was 119. The fielding of both teams was smart.

At 12 05 Fleming and Hynes faced Cottrell (fast) and Allsopp (medium). Disaster came quickly. Hynes was softly caught by Bruen at short leg off Cottrell for 2 and Trotter stupidly ran himself out without scoring. Cronin began well but was bowled by Cottrell for 6 at 13. Bayley joined Fleming and a stand was made. Bayley was nearly caught at mid off at 20 but despite this scoring was rapid. At 35 Bruen replaced Allsopp and 5 runs later Bayley ran down the wicket at Bruen and was bowled for 17. Cottrell took the remaining 6 wickets all clean bowled. He bowled Hone Penny and Lombard in 4 balls. Pike helped Fleming in a 9th wicket stand taking the score from 61 to 93 before Cottrell got Pike for 18. The lunch score was 93 for 9 (Fleming 44). At 3 00 with 2 runs added Cottrell bowled Dawson and the innings was over. Fleming was 45 not out - a great display of sound batting and concentration. He had batted through the innings. Cottrell had bowled throughout taking 8 for 51 in 31.3 overs.

At 3 20 Clarke and Cottrell faced Pike and Dawson. For quite a while IZ did not fare any better than Ireland. Each bowler bowled a maiden and then the second ball of Pike's second over saw Clarke beautifully held low down at mid on by Penny. Allsopp came in but he, too, failed to score being dismissed by a really good one handed catch at short slip by Pike. de Paravicini was next and before 10 was up Penny dropped him - an expensive miss. The score was slowly brought to 30 - almost completely due to de Paravicini. The latter was then very nearly caught at the wicket off Pike who then bowled Cottrell. He had made 4 out of 33. Evans came in and 50 went up in 40 minutes. At 56, Bayley (left hand) replaced Dawson and de Paravicini hit him straight for 4 but the new bowler then had Evans caught at slip by Pike in an attempt to late cut. Bannatine came in but soon de Paravicini skied one off Bayley and was easily caught by Hynes. His 47 was a very quick and valuable contribution. Bannatine put one straight up off Penny (who had replaced Pike) and was caught at the wicket by Lombard. 72 for 6. Murdy and Gore then made a stand of 38 with Gore doing nearly all the scoring. 100 went up at 4.45 after 85 minutes and Gore drove Penny out of the ground. At 110 Dawson replaced Penny and his first ball bowled Mundy who had scored only 6. C.Boyle, (Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant) began well and at 130 Hynes was tired and Penny came on for Dawson. Boundaries were no numerous and no bowler could keep either batsman quiet. 170 came up and then Gore was run out attempting a short run. It was apparently the only method of breaking the stand. Gore's 57 was made by means of good free cricket. Walrond was in and Boyle continued to score fast. At 186 Penny bowled Walrond for 6. The last wicket put on 28 - of which Bruen, the no. 11, made 17 not out. 200 went up at 5.30 - the second 100 taking but 45 minutes. At 214 Boyle was caught at mid off. He had made 46 and was greatly applauded and his batting was worthy of this appreciation.

35 minutes remained and in that time Ireland lost two wickets for 25 runs. The order was changed and Hone opened with Bayley. Cottrell and Allsopp bowled. Hone batted freely but at 16 Bayley was caught at the wicket off Cottrell for 1. Hynes came in at no. 3 and at 20 Evans replaced Allsopp. In his 2nd over Evans had Hone caught at mid off. He had made 13 in his last innings for Ireland. Hynes was 7 not out.

The second day was cloudy and rather cold but another large crowd turned up. Ireland's batting was much better with capital displays by Hynes and Fleming again. Hynes and Trotter came out at 11 40. They faced Cottrell and Allsopp and added 86 to the overnight score before Hynes was lbw to de Paravicini for a capital 61. Fleming came in at no. 5 but soon lost Trotter who was bowled by de Paravicini for 29. It was unusual to see Trotter too careful and defensive - but it was fine support for Hynes. Cronin got 3 and was bowled by the first ball he received from Cottrell. Alexander faced a few maidens and was then caught off de Paravicini for 0 (his last innings for Ireland). Penny joined Fleming and both batted in great style until 180 was up. The Penny was caught at point by Boyle off Bruen. Buren at once had Lombard lbw (he bagged a pair in his last match for Ireland). Pike scored 5 and was bowled by de Paravicini. With Dawson and Fleming in lunch was taken at 196 for 9. At 199 de Paravicini bowled Dawson for 7 and Fleming was again not out - this time with 42. A magnificent finale. De Paravicini had taken 5 for 44 in 29.2 overs although he did not bowl at all in the first innings. 81 were required to win and Clarke and Cottrell knocked up 83 without loss in just over an hour. Pike, Dawson and Penny bowled 29 four-ball overs between them without bowling a single maiden. The match ended at 4 20.