Cricket: Kiwis' easy win

HEAVY rain spoiled the one-day match between Ireland and New Zealand at Malahide in Dublin yesterday. Play was delayed until mid-afternoon and after the match was reduced to 20 overs the Kiwis won the final game of their tour by nine wickets, with 37 balls to spare.

The main contributions to Ireland's 147 for 9 came from the former Leicestershire all-rounder Justin Benson (42) and Garfield Harrison, whose 43 included two sixes and six fours. Bobby Rao, with a cautious 17, was the only other Irish batsman to reach double figures. Shane Thomson had the best figures of the seven bowlers used by Ken Rutherford with 4 for 27 from three overs.

Blair Hartland and Adam Parore quickly made the total look inadequate when they hit 94 off the first eight overs. Parore was then caught behind off Benson by Brian Millar for 38.

Hartland continued to punish the Irish bowlers to finish unbeaten on 80 off just 45 balls. He hit two sixes and nine fours and along with Bryan Young helped them finish the tour in wiining style.

Jim Love, the Scotland coach, praised the South Africans despite rain all but washing out their match at Titwood, Glasgow. Only three overs were possible before the rain came but Love said: 'Their attitude was magnificent. They made every effort to play.'