Ireland secure Intercontinental glory

Ireland 313 for 4 dec and 245 for 4 (Bray 64) beat Kenya 401 for 4 dec and 156 (M Suji 52, McCallan 4-34) by six wickets
Scorecard

Trent Johnston receives the trophy from Percy Sonn © Getty Images

Ireland completed a memorable victory over Kenya in the final of the Intercontinental Cup as they successfully chased 245 at Windhoek. The Irish attack skittled Kenya for 156 during the morning session then the top order produced a thoroughly professional performance to knock off the runs midway through the final session.

Jeremy Bray provided the backbone for the run chase with a composed 64, and combined in an opening stand of 83 with Dominick Joyce, who cracked a rapid 48. Steve Tikolo grabbed two wickets for Kenya but Ireland's in-form middle order had few problems reaching a modest target. Ant Botha was unbeaten on 43, his second important innings of the match following his first-innings 78 which enabled the brave declaration by Trent Johnston, the Ireland captain.

That gamble by Johnston was rewarded with a superb effort from the Irish attack as they took the remaining seven Kenya wickets for just 48 runs. The key at the start of the day for Ireland was early wickets. They made the perfect start when Maurice Ouma became Andrew White's third wicket with just four runs added to Kenya's overnight total of 104 for 3.

Kyle McCallan then took over the demolition job and snapped up the key scalp of Tikolo - who was made two hundreds in three innings - for 24. Three further victims followed for McCallan, while Adrian McCoubrey and Andre Botha chipped in with one each. Ireland were brilliant in the field with McCoubrey and White also holding onto great diving catches.

"We managed, on an absolute highway, to bowl seven Kenyans out," said a delighted McCallan. "I think they were surprised by our early declaration and they weren't actually sure how to bat in order to win the game. So we turned that into a big positive and bowled very well. I think to say they got themselves out would be a disservice to our bowlers. We bowled very well. We put a lot of balls in good areas. I think that, coupled with their mind-set, made all the difference."

Following Kenya's first innings 401 for 4 this was a brilliant effort from Ireland to turn the match on its head. Johnston must take the plaudits for his calculated call to pull out 88 runs behind Kenya - grabbing the trophy out of their grasp.