Ireland clinch double over ACT Comets in Canberra

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Andy Balbirnie made his Ireland debut in 2010 against ScotlandImage source, Inpho
Image caption,

Andy Balbirnie made his Ireland debut in 2010 against Scotland

Tour match, Manuka Oval, Canberra:

Ireland 306-9 (48.2 overs) beat ACT Comets 305-5 (50 overs) by one wicket

Ireland chased down a daunting target of 306 to beat ACT Comets for the second time in three days in Canberra.

Matthew Condon hit 126 from 128 balls while Andrew Harriott added 62 as the hosts posted 305-5 from their 50 overs.

An opening partnership of 75 between William Porterfield and Niall O'Brien set a solid foundation for the Irish before Andy Balbirnie's impressive 86.

John Mooney (46) and Stuart Poynter (23 not out) helped Ireland reach 306-9 in 48.2 overs for a one-wicket victory.

Ireland secured a first win on their tour of Australia and New Zealand by beating the Comets by 124 runs on Tuesday.

Graeme McCarter and Mooney took early wickets at the Manuka Oval before Condon struck 16 fours and a six on his way to a superb 126.

Ireland tour fixtures

30 September: v Queensland Bulls - lost by 230 runs

2 October: v Queensland Bulls - lost by 151 runs

7 October: v Comets/NSW 2nd XI - won by 124 runs

9 October: v Comets/NSW 2nd XI, won by one wicket

16 October: v Northern Districts, Seddon Park, Hamilton

18 October: v New Zealand XI, Seddon Park, Hamilton

21 October: v Canterbury, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln

23 October: v Otago, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln

Patrick Pisel made 33 while Michael Spaseski (30 not out) and Vele Dukoski (26 not out) added quick runs to take the Comets over 300.

It was tough going for the Irish bowlers with Peter Chase, Alex Cusack and Kevin O'Brien also taking a wicket.

Porterfield (42) and O'Brien (36) gave Ireland the start they needed before Balbirnie's knock, which included nine boundaries.

Poynter struck the winning runs with 10 balls to spare as Ireland edged a tight contest in the Australian capital.

Shane Devoy was the best of the Comets' bowlers with figures of 4-57.

Ireland, who suffered heavy defeats by Queensland in their first two matches, will now travel to New Zealand for the remaining four games in their World Cup warm-up tour.

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