Ireland failed to mark Gary Wilson’s 200th appearance for his country with a victory as they were beaten by 11 runs by Papua New Guinea in Townsville.
Wilson, joining Kevin O’Brien, Andrew White, Kyle McCallan and Will Porterfield in the 200-club, was made captain of a much-changed side that had already taken a 2-0 unassailable lead in the Twenty20 series.
The Surrey gloveman made 15 from 16 balls, the second highest score of the innings behind Niall O’Brien’s 27, but Ireland were dismissed in the final over for 105 in pursuit of 117.
Wilson landmark ends in defeat for Ireland https://t.co/NpVAHVp935 pic.twitter.com/jgWgDG2C9e
— Cricket Ireland (@Irelandcricket) February 9, 2016
Tim Murtagh proved why he was included in Ireland’s World T20 squad yesterday by returning figures of 3-23 from four overs after Papua New Guinea opted to bat on a tricky surface.
Spin also played a huge part during an innings which featured only three fours and two sixes, with George Dockrell, Andrew McBrine and Paul Stirling taking a combined four wickets for just 51 runs in 12 overs.
Niall O’Brien and Wilson led a recovery from 18 for two with a third-wicket stand of 31 in the run-chase, but the stand-in skipper’s dismissal was followed by a golden duck for Kevin O’Brien and Ireland failed to recover.
Source: ECB