The umbrellas in the crowd at Malahide were to ward off the sun rather than the usual September rain, but it was Ireland captain Kevin O'Brien who was left wiping away the sweat beads as his side repelled a Scotland fightback to secure a three-wicket victory in yesterday's second one-day international.
O'Brien scored 67 as Ireland completed the win with 34 balls to spare, but they were made to fight by a determined Scotland side that showed far more spirit than during Monday's seven-wicket capitulation on the same ground.
Richie Berrington hit a magnificent maiden ODI century as Scotland recovered from a first-hour batting collapse to post 221 in 49.5 overs.
Scotland were asked to bat first after losing the toss for a second match in a row, and coach Grant Bradburn was left frustrated as early swing and variable bounce once again undid his side's top order batsmen.
Craig Young was the stand-out bowler in Ireland's win on Monday, but he took second billing yesterday as fellow paceman Max Sorensen ripped through the Scotland frontline batsmen in the first hour.
The South Africa-born fast bowler took 4-19 in his first six overs to leave Scotland reeling at 48-5, but Berrington batted superbly in the early afternoon sun to hit an undefeated 101 from 126 balls.
The Clydesdale clubman put on 84 for the sixth wicket with Josh Davey (40) to rebuild the innings, then marshalled the tail before hitting a two off the third ball of the 50th and final over to complete his century.
The 27-year-old was left with an anxious wait before he eventually was able to raise his bat to the warm applause of the north Dublin crowd, as he turned to see the stumps scattered and the bowler John Mooney claiming the run-out of last man Iain Wardlaw. However, umpire Mark Hawthorne kept his finger down, allowing Berrington to celebrate a first ton in his 34th ODI.
Davey claimed the wickets of openers Andrew Balbirnie and John Anderson to reduce Ireland to 35-2 in the ninth over, but a partnership of 68 between O'Brien and Andrew Poynter (21) and one of 54 with Stuart Thompson (39) seemed to return momentum to the home side.
The Scotland bowlers did not wilt, however, and when O'Brien was magnificently caught by wicketkeeper Matty Cross off the bowling of Ali Evans for 67, it prompted a mini-collapse that led to Thompson, Stuart Poynter (8) and Andrew White (1) departing in the space of 20 deliveries. However, the cool heads of John Mooney (27) and Sorensen (14) brought Ireland home as Phil Simmons' side completed the series win.
"Their bowlers put us under pressure and got the rewards, which meant we had to rebuild in the middle," said Berrington. "Josh and I managed to put on a partnership and, once we came off at half time, we felt 221 wasn't the worst score on that wicket. Unfortunately, we did not get enough wickets in the first 20 overs."
Ireland captain O'Brien acknowledged said: "We expected Scotland to dig in and show some bottle after Monday's performance. They had two good players at the crease in Richie and Davey when they needed it."
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