Ireland trounce Canada by 133 runs

Ireland 328 for 6 (Joyce 88, Porterfield 67, Wilson 56) beat Canada 195 (Limbada 50, Mooney 4-27) by 133 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Ireland built on their innings win in the four-day Intercontinental Cup match against Canada with another dominant display in the ODI at Clontarf Cricket Club in Dublin. The hosts cruised to 328 for 6 before dismissing Canada for just 195 in the 49th over. Ireland's winning total was built around Ed Joyce's 88, captain William Porterfield's 67 and Gary Wilson's 56 off 35 balls, while there were contributions from all the batsmen, with Kevin O'Brien hitting two sixes and three fours in his 15-ball 35. Ireland's bowlers also operated as a unit, with John Mooney the pick after taking 4 for 27.

Canada had appeared lacklustre and distracted in their two-day drubbing last week, but it was hoped they would be more inspired for the limited-overs games. While there was a little more energy in the field, Canada once again proved no match for the well-drilled Ireland team.

After being put in to bat, Paul Stirling opened the Irish innings with typical gusto, storming into the 20s with three fours and a six before he popped a return catch back to Harvir Baidwan. Joyce, who had flicked the first ball of the day to the fine-leg boundary, initially let Stirling take the attack to the bowlers but opened up as he settled, targeting the leg side. Porterfield soon caught up with him, and both men brought up their half-centuries from consecutive deliveries in the 24th over.

They looked to push on from there, but both fell trying to force the scoring and it briefly appeared Canada may be able to get back into the game. Ireland's middle order put paid to that hope, however, with Gary Wilson racing to an unbeaten 56 from just 36 balls and Kevin O'Brien smashing his 100th six for Ireland in the course of his whirlwind innings.

In reply, Canada's openers started fairly fluently but were always behind the asking rate. Mooney and Trent Johnston had reduced them to 63 for 3 before Usman Limbada settled in to steady the innings. He forsook aggression for survival and the required-rate was soon inflating out of reach.

Limbada managed exactly 50 before he was caught off a top-edged hook in the deep. Things unravelled from there, with Ireland's fielders hanging on to their catches as Canada looked for the big hits. The last six wickets fell for 55 runs and Canada were bowled out in 48.4 overs. Canada will get one more chance to improve their reputation when the teams meet for another ODI on September 20.