Paul Stirling’s maiden international century and an opening partnership of 182 allowed Ireland to get their latest Intercontinental Cup defence off to a commanding start at sun-drenched Eglinton yesterday.

For the second time in nine months, the Kenya bowlers were on the receiving end of an Ireland batting master class until a 37 year old hauled them back into the contest in the final session.

Ireland took tea at 197 for one but rather than fill their boots against a tiring attack, Steve Tikolo, bowling his off spin off a few paces, finished with five wickets and the holders lost six for 126 in the remaining 46 overs.

Trent Johnston and captain Kyle McCallan will resume in the morning with Regan West and Peter Connell to follow and, on a pitch which is already taking turn, anything close to 400 should still ensure the first innings points.

For the first half of the day, it looked as if Ireland’s record total of 578 for four declared, against the Kenyans in Nairobi, in the penultimate match of their last successful I-Cup campaign would be in danger as Stirling and Jeremy Bray, playing his first four-day game since his century in the 2007 final against Canada, dispatched the bowling to all parts of the ground.

As ever, Bray was particularly strong on the off side while Stirling, with a confidence belying his 18 years, continues to impress with each visit to the crease.

The Carrickfergus batsman was the first to his 50 from exactly 100 balls, with eight fours and Bray followed two overs later. When they were just 20 runs short of Ireland’s best opening stand in the competition, however, Nehemiah Odhiambo - he of the dreadlocks - found the edge of Bray’s bat and it flew low to slip. He had faced 122 balls and hit 14 fours.

Kenya’s problem in the first session, which did not get under way until 12.15pm because of rain, was that they did not force the batsmen to play often enough and both openers, showing great discipline, were content to wait for the bad ball. Stirling left more than most and it was 177 balls before he reached his personal landmark.

A teenager sitting on 94, in sight of his first international century, might be expected to nudge a six singles to ensure he gets there. Not Stirling. With sweet timing and a disdain for anything short, he picked up Peter Ongondo and lofted him out of the ground at mid-wicket. The celebrations were as muted as he is off the field, just a handshake from his new partner, Alex Cusack and then a modest raise of the bat.

Unfortunately, four balls later, it was all over, as Ongondo got one to nip back at Stirling and, too close to cut, he got the edge through to the keeper.

It was hardly the start of a collapse but it was the cue for Kenya to get back into the game. With Tikolo getting turn and spin twin Jimmy Kamande bowling a negative legside line from the other end, the runs dried up and Ireland resorted to more desperate measures, with fatal results.

Andre Botha was caught at mid-wicket, Kevin O’Brien hit his second ball straight back to the bowler, Andrew White was caught by the keeper, via short leg! Gary Wilson was bowled and Alex Cusack, in the last over of the day, was caught at short leg for 63.

He had scored over 200 runs since he was last dismissed in the competition and he is making the No 3 position his own in four-day cricket. Much like the Ireland team have made this tournament their own over the last four years and this was another very satisfactory start.

Day 1 Scorecard

Ireland Vs Kenya
2-Innings Match Played At Eglinton Londonderry, 03-Jul-2009, First Class Intercontinent Cup

   

Round             711
Toss won by       Ireland
Umpires           PK Baldwin (Germany) & RE Koertzen (South Africa)
Scorers           Judith Hewitt  & Emma Busk
Comment           711/11
4 day match Friday 3, Saturday 4, Sunday 5, Monday 6 July 2009
Third umpire: ND Ward.
Close:
Day 1: Ireland  323-7 (92 overs DT Johnston 4*, WK McCallan 1*, SO Tokolo 5-67)


Ireland 1st Innings 323/7  (Overs 92)
    Batsman              Fieldsman                Bowler              Runs Min Bls 4s 6s
    JP Bray              c SO Tikolo              b N Odhiambo          89 179 122 14  0
    PR Stirling          c MA Ouma                b PJ Ongondo         100 236 181 13  1
    AR Cusack            c CO Obuya               b SO Tikolo           63 193 136  8  0
    AC Botha             c S Waters               b SO Tikolo           26  61  50  5  0
    KJ O'Brien                                    c&b SO Tikolo          0   2   2  0  0
    AR White             c MA Ouma                b SO Tikolo            3  19  27  0  0
    GC Wilson+                                    b SO Tikolo           11  29  25  0  0
    DT Johnston          not out                                         4  23  19  0  0
    WK McCallan*         not out                                         1   2   1  0  0
    RM West              dnb                                             -
    P Connell            dnb                                             -
      extras                                      (b1 lb12 w4 nb9)      26
    TOTAL                                         7 wickets for        323

    FOW
    1-182(JP Bray) 2-229(PR Stirling) 3-275(AC Botha) 4-275(KJ O'Brien) 5-283(AR White)
    6-313(GC Wilson) 7-322(AR Cusack)

    Bowler             O     M    R    W   wd  nb
    TM Odoyo           13    2    47   0   1   3   
    PJ Ongondo         16    7    31   1   -   1   
    KO Otieno          9     0    48   0   1   1   
    N Odhiambo         16    0    57   1   -   3   
    JK Kamande         18    3    60   0   2   -   
    SO Tikolo          20    1    67   5   -   1