Irish clinging to world dream

IRELAND must beat Scotland today to reach the Super Four stage after they boosted their chances of qualifying for the ICC World Twenty20 by beating the United States by 78 runs.

By The Newsroom

Published 10th Feb 2010, 22:15 BST

Updated 10th Feb 2010, 22:34 BST

The Irish made 202-4 off their 20 overs, Niall O'Brien top-scoring with 84, Alex Cusack contributing 46 and captain William Porterfield 45.

The USA recovered from 11-5 to post 124-6 off their 20 overs in reply. Peter Connell was best of the Irish bowlers with 4-14.

Irish openers Porterfield and O'Brien put on a stand of 83 for the first wicket while O'Brien and Cusack made 89 for the second.