Ireland edge out Kenya in Intercontinental Cup clash
- Published
Ed Joyce's second innings score of 54 was vital to Ireland's win in the low-scoring contest in Mombasa
Ireland clinched a 10-run victory over Kenya inside two days in an extraordinary Intercontinental Cup match in Mombasa.
In a low-scoring contest, Ireland's second innings of 152 left the hosts needing only 119 to win but they were bowled out for 108.
Spinner Albert van der Merwe claimed six second-innings dismissals as he completed an 11-wicket match haul.
George Dockrell took nine wickets in the match as spin completely dominated.
Ireland began the second day on 81-2 in their second innings with Joyce unbeaten on 51.
However, he was only able to add three more runs to his tally before being trapped leg before wicket by Hiren Varaiya with Andrew White the next best Irish scorer on 26.
Set only 119 to win, Kenya progressed to 16-0 before Dockrell and Van der Merwe's intervention saw the hosts slump to 23-3 and then 36-8.
However, tail-enders Nelson Odhiambo and Varaiya put on 68 runs for the ninth wicket as the Kenyans moved to 94-8.
But Van der Merwe made the crucial breakthrough, having Odhiambo caught by captain William Porterfield for 32.
Irish nerves were strained still further as 11th man Shem Ngoche quickly moved to 13 but Varaiya was caught by White off the bowling of Van der Merwe for 27 as the visitors completed a nervy 10-run win.
The Irish had been skittled out for 75 in their first innings with the Kenyans making 109 in reply.
Man of the match Van der Merwe finished finished with figures of 11 for 68 with Kenyan spinner Varaiya going one better as he took 12 for 73 and Dockrell not far behind with nine for 87.
Ireland currently top the Intercontinental Cup table, external after three fixtures, well clear of the United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan in joint-second.
The Irish are back in the same ground for the ODI World Cup qualifiers against Kenya on 18 and 20 February.