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Ireland International Matches
Ireland beat Scotland by 1 run
T20, Malahide, 20 September 2019
Scorecard
David Townsend (Irish Independent)

Getkate keeps cool as Ireland beat Scotland

Shane Getkate kept both his head and his nerve during a nail-biting climax to deliver Ireland a one-run victory over Scotland in a pulsating T20 international at Malahide and with it the tri-series trophy. Kevin O'Brien hit four sixes in a top quality 63 from 45 balls, and Gareth Delany, Andy Balbirnie and Gary Wilson also made important contributions but another disappointing finish saw only 33 runs come from the final five overs as Ireland posted 186-9 in the title-deciding clash.

Scotland appeared on course for victory despite the early loss off Player of the Tournament George Munsey but paceman David Delany applied the pressure with a tidy 1-24 from four overs and the game turned when seamer Craig Young dismissed top-scorer Richie Berrington for 76. Skipper Wilson threw Getkate the ball for the last over with Scotland needing 15 to win and the balance swung again when Matt Cross hit a mighty six from the fourth ball, leaving four to win from two.

Live Coverage (Cricket Ireland)

Getkate responded superbly, conceding a single off the next ball and then coolly shouted to Wilson to stay at the stumps as he followed up his last delivery to effect a run-out by several yards to give the Boys in Green victory by the smallest of margins. Ireland have four more matches to play in Oman, and two in the United Arab Emirates, before the start of the T20 World Cup qualifiers next month but coach Graham Ford will have already seen the makings of a formidable team in the two wins against Scotland this week.

Gareth Delany has provided acceleration at the start of the innings, Harry Tector looked in great touch before missing the game through injury while David Delany has shown good pace and control after making his debut in the first match v Scotland. Wilson will also be relieved to have got some runs under his belt - a useful 31 from 25 balls - after a poor sequence of scores but may find himself batting as low as seven in the qualifiers when Tector and Paul Stirling, who missed the tri-series with a niggle, are both available.