Morgan and Botha flay UAE

Ireland 461 for 2 (Morgan 182*, Botha 136*) v UAE
Scorecard

Eoin Morgan and Andre Botha walk off after their record stand © ICC

Ireland put their World Cricket League disappointments behind them in grand style as they produced a record-breaking performance on the opening day of their Intercontinental Cup match against UAE in Abu Dhabi. Eoin Morgan and Andre Botha added an Ireland record 325 for the third wicket and they aren't finished yet.

They need to secure an outright win to move into the final against Canada; any other result and arch rivals Scotland will pip them to it. Fears that the team would be scared after three near-misses during the WCL were quickly put to bed as the batsmen made hay.

Morgan and Botha went past the previous Irish partnership record of 304 between Jeremy Bray and Niall O'Brien, also against UAE, at Windhoek in 2005. Their next target will be the competition record of 331 which is currently held by Steve Tikolo and Hitesh Modi. Morgan, already with his highest first-class score, is also approaching the highest score by an Ireland play of 198 Ivan Anderson back in 1973.

Between them the pair hit 34 fours and a six against eight UAE bowlers, who toiled for little success. An opening partnership of 122 between Bray and William Porterfield, who enjoyed a successful WCL, laid the platform but that was only a taste of what was to follow.