Craig Young impressed with three wickets on his first appearance in the World Cup qualifiers in Harare yesterday as Ireland eased past the USA by six wickets to reach Tuesday’s seventh place play-off final.

Into the side for the injured Josh Little, the big Co Tyrone seamer showed what Ireland have been missing as he made the initial breakthrough with his second ball and followed up by bowling US skipper Monank Patel for a golden duck.

Young, who has been sparingly used after recovering from a long-term injury, finished with figures of 3-35 from seven overs while Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy and Andy McBrine took two wickets each as the USA were dismissed for 196 in 42.4 overs.

Paul Stirling then smashed 58 off 45 balls to add the Takashinga Sports Club to the many grounds where he has made an ODI half-century, and skipper Andy Balbirnie was 45 not out as the Boys in Green got home got with 15.4 overs to spare.