Ireland claim victory in three days

Alex Cusack of Ireland dives to catch Bermuda's James Celestine © Deryck Vincent

Ireland remains on course to retain its ICC Intercontinental Cup crown after a convincing innings victory over Bermuda in Dublin last week.

Seamer David Langford-Smith was the star of Saturday for the Irish as the 30-year-old took 5-45 including five of the top six Bermuda batsmen as the visitors collapsed to 186 all out in their second innings to lose the match by an innings and 146 runs.

After the start Ireland had enjoyed, it was always going to be a tough task for Irving Romaine s men as the home team had amassed 524-8 declared in the first innings. William Porterfield top scored with 166 and he was well supported along the way by Andre Botha (122), Trent Johnston (61), Kevin O Brien (50) and Niall O Brien (39).

Seamer Dave Langford-Smith took five wickets on day three to secure an innings victory for Ireland at Castle Avenue © Deryck Vincent

Only Dwayne Leverock put up any real opposition, taking 4-98 with his attacking brand of left-arm spin bowling.

Bermuda was then dismissed twice for less than 200 and although Steve Outerbridge registered a half-century in each innings, the visitors never really threatened to make the match close and the Irish took the 20 wickets needed for victory with a day to spare.

This win puts Ireland second in the ICC Intercontinental Cup table on 29 points, five behind leader the Netherlands. The defending champion, however, has a game in hand over the Dutch.

The competition hits a lull now for several weeks with no matches being played until Namibia takes on Canada in Windhoek from 25 to 28 October.

Opener Steven Outerbridge, who scored a half-century in each innings for Bermuda © Deryck Vincent

The ICC Intercontinental Cup has quickly grown in stature and profile since its inception three years ago and now ICC's premier first-class tournament is an integral part of the Associate Members' cricket schedule.

Having previously been designed around a two-group, three-day format, the event has evolved into an eight-team, round-robin and truly global tournament featuring four-day cricket which gives those teams who do not play Test cricket the chance to experience the longer form of the game.

Scotland won the first ICC Intercontinental Cup in 2004, beating Canada in the final, while Ireland has been victorious in both events since then, beating Kenya in the 2005 decider and Canada earlier this year in the 2006-07 event.

The final of the ICC Intercontinental Cup 2007-08 will take place in November 2008 at a venue yet to be decided.