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Ireland International Matches
Ireland v Kenya - no result
ODI, Stormont, 25 August 2008
Scorecard
Derek Scott

A non-event except for one huge landmark for one Irish player.

In this match William Kyle McCallan, born August 27, 1975 (Don Bradman's 67th Birthday) took the field for Ireland for the 200th time. This was a feat never achieved before and many feel it will probably never be achieved again.

Because only eight overs were bowled in the match, McCallan took no part with the bat, ball or in the field as Ireland were sent in. Due to a wet ground the start was more than an hour late.

When it became known that a start would be made both teams lined up on the field and the Cricket Ireland President, John Caldwell, made a presentation to McCallan. He got a special Irish Cap, a Waterford drinking glass and a tiepin. The media also made a special presentation to McCallan.

In regard to McCallan the following features arise after this his 200th match: --

1. His record for Ireland was 3326 runs at an average of 25.39 and 221 wickets at an average of 30.40. He had caught 53 catches. No other Irish player has a double of 3000 runs and 200 wickets and only two players have more than his 53 catches (apart from wicket-keeper's).

2. McCallan captained the Irish team on 46 occasions between 2000 and 2008. This is only two short of the record 48 of DT Johnston.

3. McCallan took a wicket with the first ball he bowled for Ireland, in his first match against Wales as Rathmines in 1996.

4. McCallan scored two centuries for Ireland (one in only his second game) and took five wickets in innings twice.

5. In his 200 match career to date he has only missed 25 matches Returning to this match, what of it there was, having started an hour later due to rain, after half an hour more rain came. Eventually, at 4 PM, the match was abandoned

Ireland made two enforced changes from the previous day. Niall O'Brien was only available for the first match. Gary Wilson came in to keep wicket (he had played as a batsmen in the first match) and Paul Stirling replaced O'Brien. The other change resulted from Andy White, while fielding, badly damaging a finger. His replacement was Regan West from Civil Service/NICC a New Zealander now qualified for Ireland by residence.

As on the previous day Ireland were sent in and has just as bad a start as that day. Porterfield and Wilson again opened to the same Kenya opening bowlers, Oduya and Ongondo. Porterfield scored three runs in Oduyo's first over. Ongondo's first ball had Porterfield LBW. 3-1-3. Sterling played out the remainder of Ongondo's wicket maiden.

The second ball of Oduyo's second over had Wilson LBW, of the fifth ball he faced. 3-2-0. Botha snicked a four off his first ball and off drove a three off his second. Next over he hit Ongondo for four to extra cover. Two maidens followed. The seventh and eighth overs saw four more runs scored. Then the rain came again after eight overs with the score at 18 for 2 wickets. There was no more play for the day.