I / Port-of-Spain March 09, 2007
| David Langford-Smith took 4-41 to help Ireland to a seven-wicket win over Canada in a cricket World Cup warmup match on Thursday. After being sent in to bat, Canada only lasted 32.5 overs at the Sir Frank Worrell ground as it was bundled out for 115. Ireland reached the target for the loss of three wickets. Langford-Smith took the new ball and removed Canada opener Geoff Barnett, who topscored with 27, and Abdool Samad (8) in his first spell of 2-29. "We set ourselves the target to bowl them out for around 120, so to achieve that was excellent. There was a bit in the pitch in the first few overs, and we held some good catches too," Ireland captain Trent Johnston said. Langford-Smith also dismissed tailenders Sunil Dhaniram (6) and George Codrington (4). "The ball was swinging for him, and he was running in and bowling well," Johnston said. "He's one of the most dangerous bowlers from the emerging nations, and his confidence is sky high after taking seven wickets in two games." Ireland had top-ranked South Africa in trouble on Monday at 91 for eight before the Proteas rallied compile 192 and win by 37 runs. Canada coach Andy Pick said his side's preparation was affected by the evacuation of the team hotel on Wednesday morning because a tear gas canister was opened in a corridor. "Today was a product of things that happened in the last 48 hours, some in our control and some not," Pick said. Ireland opener Jeremy Bray made 41 not out and Andre Botha was not out 22 in an innings that lasted only 25.5 overs. Henry Osinde, Austin Codrington and Samad each took a wicket for Canada. |
