Intercontinental Cup: Ireland's Ed Joyce hits record 229 v UAE

Ed Joyce hit 29 fours and three sixes in his unbeaten 229

Ed Joyce broke Eoin Morgan's record for the highest innings score by an Irish player as he hit 229 not out against the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.

In doing so, the 36-year-old Sussex batsman became the first Irish player to score a double century on home soil.

Opener Paul Stirling posted his highest first class score with 146 as Ireland ended the opening day of the Intercontinental Cup match on 420-3.

The game at Malahide is the first step in Ireland's push to gain Test status.

The eventual winners of the Intercontinental Cup, a competition for associate members of the International Cricket Council, will play the lowest-ranked Test nation in a four-match challenge.

Ireland are the cup holders and have won it four times out of six.

Morgan's previous record was 209 - also against the UAE - in February 2002.

Stirling and Joyce added 231 for the second wicket - Ireland's fourth highest partnership in their 160 year history.

It is the first match in charge for new Ireland coach John Bracewell, the former New Zealand spinner and coach.

His side were put in after the UAE won the toss, and Ireland's run rate more than made up for a couple of rain delays at the Dublin ground.

Skipper William Porterfield fell for 17, caught by Shaiman Anwar off Mohammad Naveed, having added 59 with Stirling.

Joyce and Stirling then proceeded to take the game away from the UAE with their brilliant second-wicket stand.

Stirling reached his century from 145 balls, hitting 14 fours and a six. It was his ninth in Irish colours - three behind record holder Porterfield who has 12.

The 24-year-old Middlesex man eventually fell for 146, having faced 197 deliveries and struck 17 fours and three sixes.

The respite was only temporary as Joyce dominated a third-wicket stand of 85 with Niall O'Brien, who made 13 before giving skipper Mohammad Tauqir a return catch.