Lorcan Tucker struck five fours
Lorcan Tucker continued his run of form with the bat by notching a third half-century in four innings as Ireland beat Scotland by five wickets to clinch the T20 international tri-series with a game still to play in The Hague.
The margin of victory at the Vorburg ground, with only three balls to spare, suggests a close contest but the Boys in Green always had the Scotland total of 157-8 well within their sights.
Openers Andy Balbirnie and Paul Stirling added 66 in 7.4 overs and when the latter, who hit two sixes, departed for 32, Tucker joined his Pembroke club colleague in a partnership of 65 that reduced the ask to 27 from the final five overs.
Balbirnie holed out to deep mid-wicket for 56 from 46 balls, and was quickly followed back to the tents by his team-mates Harry Tector and Curtis Campher, but even the last over running out of Tucker for 55 was only a blip.
“They were hooping and hollering about the run out at the end there but we were always ahead of the game,” Tucker said, after hitting five fours in his 38-ball innings.
“We’ve got a lot of big games coming up in the World Cup next month so it’s nice to have a run of form going into that.
“Everything is working very well for myself and the team too, and everyone is feeling pretty confident.
“It was about an average score to chase.
“The pitch was maybe a bit better today and the lads came out and showed real intent in the powerplay and that made it a bit easier for those of us coming in later.”
Tucker was also full of praise for leg-spinner Gareth Delany who kept Scotland in check with a tidy 1-18 from four overs, and the death bowling that only conceded 37 runs in the last five overs.
“Gareth was exceptional through the middle of the innings, he really tied them back, and then the lads finished really strong,” added Tucker after the victory.
“We’ve talked a lot about our death bowling and that finish was excellent.
“We have all had a really good week out here in the Netherlands.
“It’s all about building momentum going into the World Cup and we’ll be looking to continue that in final game (against the Netherlands) and create a nice atmosphere going into next week.”