Bishop fireworks not enough for WI Academy

COMBER, Ireland (CMC):

A counter-attacking knock from Joshua Bishop was not enough as Cricket West Indies Academy slipped to a 72-run defeat to Emerging Ireland, in the opening four-day ‘Test’ here yesterday.

Resuming their second innings on 193 for six in pursuit of an improbable 344 for victory at The Green, the Caribbean side were dismissed for 271 in the third over following the day’s first drinks break.

The 24 year-old Bishop, resuming the morning on five, struck an entertaining 42 off 40 deliveries with half-dozen fours and two sixes.

He stretched his overnight seventh-wicket stand with Nyeem Young to 69 before becoming the first casualty of the day, caught at the wicket off leg-spinner Gavin Hoey who finished with four for 81.

Young, unbeaten on seven at the start, made 22 from 60 balls in close to one hour and 45 minutes at the crease before he was ninth out, as CWI Academy lost their last four wickets for just 17 runs.

Left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys picked up two of the wickets to fall, to end with three for 44, while seamer Liam McCarthy (3-49) did not add to his overnight haul.

The second and final four-day ‘Test’ bowls off next Tuesday at Stormont in Belfast.