Ireland and Scotland both provided further evidence that they aren’t just at the ICC Cricket World Cup to make up the numbers.

In their final warm-up matches overnight Ireland pulled off a fine victory over Bangladesh, whilst Scotland scored over 300 runs and narrowly came up short in a sensational run chase against the West Indies.

Ireland’s preparations received a timely boost as they bowled out Bangladesh for just 189 at Sydney’s Olympic Park. John Mooney and Max Sorensen each struck early with the new ball and went on to claim 3 wickets apiece as the Bangladesh side were dismissed in 48.2 overs.

Middlesex’s Andy Balbirnie led the reply and eventual saw his side to victory with a stylish innings of 63 not out. The experienced Ed Joyce added 47 and former Notts Outlaws all-rounder Kevin O’Brien made a hard-hitting 23 from just 16 balls as the Associate nation romped home by 4 wickets with 19 balls to spare.

Scotland defeated Ireland earlier in the week and took confidence from that into their match in the SCG.

Chris Gayle, one of the most dangerous one day batsmen in the world, fell for just a single. After being dismissed first ball against England earlier in the week Gayle’s poor form continued as he edged Iain Wardlaw through to Matt Cross.

Cross, who has appeared for Notts seconds over the past couple of seasons, also took catches to dismiss Dwayne Smith and Marlon Samuels but the batting side still reached 313-9.

Dinesh Ramdin led the way, top-scoring with 88, whilst Lendl Simmons added 55.

Alasdair Evans, who took 4 wickets on Tuesday, was again the pick of the bowlers, bagging 3-63.

If the West Indies thought they’d done enough they were quickly jolted back to reality as the Scottish opening pair added 75 in 14.4 overs.

Calum MacLeod, who plays his county cricket for Durham, made 32 but it was Kyle Coetzer who gave Scotland a real chance, He scored 96, an innings that was complemented by 66 from Richie Berrington (made from just 44 balls) and 39 from Cross.

An unlikely win still seemed likely when the equation became 14 needed from the final two overs, with four wickets still in hand but the run out of Berrington was decisive and they came up short by just 3 runs.

Both Ireland and Scotland look dangerous opposition once the tournament gets under way. On Monday Ireland start their programme of fixtures in Group B with a clash against West Indies in Nelson.

Scotland are in Group A and begin 24 hours later with a tough-looking fixture against joint-hosts New Zealand in Dunedin on Tuesday.

All but two nations have now completed their series of warm-up matches, leaving Afghanistan and United Arab Emirates to conclude their practice preparations with a match on Friday at the Junction Oval in Melbourne.

The 11th ICC Cricket World Cup begins on Saturday (10pm late Friday evening UK time) when New Zealand begin against Sri Lanka.

Five hours later it’s Australia v England at the MCG.

 

Trent Bridge hosts the fourth Royal London One-Day International between England and New Zealand on Wednesday 17 June. Don't miss the chance to take in what promises to be an absorbing contest and secure your seat now.