The A international in Glasgow is set up for a thrilling final day with Ireland recovering from a first innings deficit of 95 to lead by 208 at the end of day two.

They have three wickets left, including first innings top scorer Trent Johnston but the most disappointed Irishman will be Stuart Thompson who was within 29 runs of a century when he was leg before wicket.

The Limavady all-rounder threatened to be the one batsman to go on to a big score after his team-mates all flattered to deceive. Of the rest, only Tom Fisher failed to reach double figures but only Andrew Poynter got to 50 and he was then immediately bowled by Gordon Goudie, Scotland’s most impressive bowler.

At the start of the day, Max Sorensen took two of the three wickets to fall in the first eight overs to give him five in the innings but a last wicket stand of 66, trumping Ireland’s equivalent by seven runs, gave Scotland what appeared to be a significant advantage.

Phil Eaglestone, surprisingly chosen instead of Trent Johnston to open the bowling yesterday with Sorensen, took the other early wicket and although he has still a problem with no balls – he bowled eight in his 17 overs – when he bowled straight he always troubled the batsmen and was the pick of the rest.

Kevin O’Brien faced only one ball (one not out) in his first game for Somerset last night but his county had an easy 63 runs win over Warwickshire, for whom William Porterfield made just four.