Ireland’s Josh Little. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Josh Little made an eye-catching return to the international arena in Florida yesterday as Ireland completed their preparations for the T20 World Cup with a 41-run defeat by Sri Lanka in a 12-a-side practice match.
Left-armer Little – who has been warming the bench for Gujarat in the IPL – saw three of his first five deliveries disappear over the ropes at the Lauderhill ground but responded with two wickets in his second over at the cost of only one run.
The Boys in Green pegged back the fast start with Curtis Campher claiming 1-5 from two overs, and leg-spinner Gareth Delany only conceding nine from his two, to leave Sri Lanka in trouble on 115-6 after 17 overs. But an expensive 18th that saw Barry McCarthy removed from the attack after bowling consecutive no-balls, and then Little being struck for another two sixes in the final over to finish with 2-45, allowed the Lions to post a challenging 163-8.
Skipper Paul Stirling found the boundary four times in the second over of the reply as he added 39 in quick time with Andy Balbirnie but the innings stalled after both openers departed in the space of five balls.
Harry Tector made 13 from eight balls – ending a run of three single figure scores – and George Dockrell a rapid 17, but none of the lower order were able to give Ireland’s top scorer Campher the support he needed to get the chase back on track.
Campher was eighth out for 26 as Ireland were ultimately dismissed for 122 yesterday.
The squad will now fly up to New York where they will get their campaign proper under way against India on Wednesday, ahead of Group A matches against Canada, the USA and Pakistan, with the top two sides progressing to the Super Eight.