IF IRELAND were hoping India would do them a big favour in New York yesterday it didn’t happen but the T20 World Cup favourites did just scrape past the USA by seven wickets to keep Group A alive for all five teams.

The Boys in Green were hoping India would thrash the hosts, and in doing so put a big dent in their nett run rate, but the USA are proving tough opponents and fought hard to defend 110-8 on another difficult pitch on Long Island.

Indeed, but for a controversial five-run penalty at the end of the 15th over - awarded for taking taking longer than a minute between overs on three occasions - the USA might have pulled off another spectacular upset to go with their defeat of Pakistan.

Instead it was India who seized the momentum and took the points, winning with 10 balls to spare, and in doing so qualified for the Super Eight.

The USA’s nett run rate did dip from 0.626 to 0.127 but is still well ahead of Ireland’s -1.712 going into tomorrow’s (FRI) clash between the sides at Lauderhill in Florida.

While Ireland’s chances of going through with India are slim, they are third favourites behind Pakistan and the US, Gareth Delany remains positive and is hoping that his leg-spin can play a bigger role in the final two group games.

“The pitches have been more favourable towards the bowling sides so far in this tournament - especially in New York - although there hasn’t been too many overs of spin bowled,” the Leinster all-rounder said.

“The biggest takeaway for me is to be keeping it as simple as possible and letting the surface offer some assistance. It will be interesting to see how the pitches in Florida will play and if spin will have more of an impact than it did in New York.”