Eddie Norfolk
Close of play scores: September 2, 2010 (third of four scheduled days):
Canada 120 all out (32 overs; Zubin Surkari 28, Trent Johnston 5 wickets for 23 runs) and 316 all out (106.5 overs: Ashish Bagai 90, Zubin Surkari 72, Kurram Chohan 59, Ruvindu Gunasekera 47, Kevin O’Brien 5 wickets for 39, Andre Botha 3 wickets for 25)
Ireland 261 all out (72 overs; Allan White 84, Kevin O’Brien 57, Paul Stirling 45, Henry Osinde 5 wickets for 68 runs) and 124 for four wickets (29 overs: Andre Botha 61)
Ireland needs 50 more runs to win with six second innings wickets standing

Canadian captain Ashish Bagai played a defiant innings of 90 against Ireland and helped carry the ICC Intercontinental Cup game into a fourth day. Bagai shared a fine stand of 121 runs for the ninth wicket with Khurram Chohan, who made 59. Ireland was set a target of 176 runs to win and had reached 124 for four wickets when rain stopped play for the day. Play is due to resume on Friday at 10 am, with Ireland needing a further 52 runs to win. Canada will need some inspired bowling and fielding to capture the last six Irish wickets before those runs are made.

Probably few at the ground at start of play expected the game to last deep into the third day, but the efforts of Bagai and Chohan drew a few more spectators in the afternoon. The pair exhibited technical and mental application, and began to give the Irish concern at the partnership progressed. Canada began the day on 190 for eight wickets, with Bagai on 30 and Chohan yet to score.

Confidence grew as solid defence was mixed with some good strokes to the boundary and useful accumulation of singles. Chohan showed great resolve in facing over 170 balls and scoring 59 runs before being caught at the wicket off Kevin O’Brien’s bowling. His defensive resistance was interspersed with seven boundaries.

Bagai, as on several occasions, battled to help his side to a respectable position, after the side had a disappointing first innings. His 157-ball innings also included seven boundaries. Bagai was caught at mid-on to complete the Canadian innings.

Home team hopes were soon raised as Henry Osinde had Rory McCann caught by Bagai for a duck just nine balls into the Irish second innings. Paul Stirling countered with some boundaries before he was caught by Ruvindu Gunasekera for 22. This wicket also fell to Osinde’s bowling. Ireland was 41 for two wickets.

Andre Botha took over as main run scorer with support from Kevin O’Brien. Rizwan Cheema did not have a good game with the bat, but struck a useful blow in trapping O’Brien leg-before wicket for 13. The Irish total had reached 90, and Botha was looking dangerous until he went for a quick single and was run out by a good throw from Umar Bhatti. Botha had clipped 9 boundaries in making 61 runs but Canadian spirits were boosted by the departure of this dangerous left-handed batsman. This wicket fell on 117, but soon after came some rain and play was abandoned, just before the storm gained momentum.

Cricket’s magical mystery tour will continue on Friday. A couple of good overs in the early going could decide the game. A magical over, or two, from Osinde? Some explosive shots from the Irish, or, perhaps, patient batting from the Irish? Who knows?

Earlier report

Canada who started the day with a lead of just 49, and only two wickets remaining, set Ireland 176 to win, thanks to a record-breaking 9th wicket partnership between Asish Bagai (90) and Khurram Chohan (59). Henry Osinde removed both Irish openers but Botha’s half century helped Ireland creep closer to the target but two quick wickets at the close left Ireland with 52 to win and six wickets left.

Bagai and Khurram Chohan resumed on another warm sunny morning and the 200 came up in the third over of the day. Bagai advanced to his fifty with a stroke of good fortune as a sharp slip chance was dropped allowing two runs. Chohan was providing excellent support and the pair batted through the morning session, extending the lead to 130. At lunch Canada were 271/8, with Bagai on 76 and Chohan on 33. The hundred partnership came up early in the afternoon as Bagai and Khurram Chohan batted on against the new ball. Khurram Chohan reached an invaluable fifty from 161 balls with a boundary, and the three hundred came up shortly afterwards. Chohan was finally caught behind off O’Brien (McCann’s 9th catch of the game) for 59, the partnership with Bagai yielding 121. This left Henry Osinde to try and stay with Bagai, who at that point needed 12 runs for his maiden first-class century. He did his job, but Bagai, trying to farm the strike, was caught for a superb 90, leaving Ireland 176 to win.
Henry Osinde carried on where he left off in the first innings and had McCann caught in the slips with his 3rd ball, raising hopes of an unlikely Canadian win. Botha and Stirling had other ideas and played aggressively, a number of short-pitched balls being dispatched to the boundary. Osinde’s reliance on the short-ptiched delivery was rewarded when the dangerous Stirling skied to square leg- 41/2. botha and O’Brien batted well, and took the total to 92 before Cheema had O’Brien leg before and then as the rain started, some good fielding resulted in Botha being run out for 61.

CricInfo scorecard – CricketEurope coverage
ICC photo gallery from Day 2