Hamilton helps hammer Irish
Left-hander strikes classy century to set up Kiwi decider
By Joe Drabble Last updated: 3rd July 2008
Hamilton: Match-winning 115
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Ireland 210-8 (R S Haire 54, J D Nel 4-25) v Scotland 211-5 (G M Hamilton 115, C J O Smith 59)Scotland beat Ireland by 5 wkts
Gavin Hamilton hit his first one-day international century as Scotland set up a Tri-Series decider against New Zealand with a five-wicket win over Ireland.
The former Yorkshire and England player blazed 115 from 152 balls to lay the foundation for the Scots to overhaul their rivals' 210-8 with 15 balls to spare in Aberdeen.
Hamilton, who was out with just three needed for victory, hit 13 fours and put on 122 during a match-winning third wicket stand with local hero Colin Smith.
After winning the toss and deciding to bat, Ireland stuttured to 66-4 after fine opening bursts from seamers John Blain and Dewald Nel.
The former Worcestershire seamer Nel, made the breakthrough when he found the edge of Reinhardt Strydom's bat in the eighth over.
Nel also dismissed Paul Stirling (4), Andre Botha (1) and Andrew Poynter (1) on his way to registering record Scottish ODI figures of 4-25.
Respectable
The Irish fightback was led by a 65-run partnership between Andrew White and Ryan Haire.
Former Northants batsman White, made a patient 34 with three boundaries while Haire, in only his second ODI, went on to top-score with 54, including seven boundaries and a six.
A late camoe from skipper Kyle Mcallan McCallan (39) and Thinus Fourie (19no) then saw Ireland recover from 153-7 up to a respectable 210-8.
Despite losing opener and skipper Ryan Waston for a duck and Qasim Sheikh for a well-crafted 23, the introduction of Smith to the crease ensured Scotland remained on course for a home victory.
Aberdeenshire's Smith played his part in tandem with the impressive Hamilton with a gritty 59, including six boundaries from 82 balls as the Scots eased to their target.
The hosts could even afford a mini-collapse with three wickets falling for just 10 runs before the job was completed.
