Bopara key as Essex beat Ireland

Friends Provident Trophy, Dublin: Essex 228-3 beat Ireland 227-5 by seven wickets

Scorecard

Ravi Bopara had a good day with bat and ball for Essex

Ravi Bopara underlined his class with an excellent performance for Essex in their victory over Ireland in Dublin.

Bopara hit 101 at a run a ball to go with his 2-43 in Essex's seven-wicket win, achieved with 51 balls to spare.

It was the only match in Sunday's Friends Provident Trophy competition not to fall victim to the bad weather.

Ireland's William Porterfield hit 88 in their 227-5 after Essex had won the toss, but Bopara and Ronnie Irani (90 not out) chased down the target.

Bopara fell lbw to Roger Whelan with two runs still needed, having added 180 for the third wicket with his club captain.

The match featured many rivals from the World Cup, with Essex's Bopara, Andre Nel, Danish Kaneria and Ryan Ten Doeschate up against many of the players who had got Ireland into the last six.

Ireland were missing some key players, though, with Niall O'Brien, Boyd Rankin and Eoin Morgan sidelined through their county commitments.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Bray was rested under a squad rotation system and Kyle McCallan absent through a family bereavement.

The hosts started well with the bat, however, after losing the toss and had Porterfield to thank for that.

But he was dismissed by Bopara at a crucial stage, and Ireland lacked a big hitter over the final overs after Kaneria bowled Trent Johnston for one.

Ireland were still in the match, though, when Dave Langford-Smith removed Alastair Cook and Mark Pettini quickly.

But that was as good as it got for the hosts, who have now gone five matches with five defeats in this competition.