IRELAND have called up Andrew Poynter as a replacement for John Mooney after the Ireland all-rounder was ruled out of the rest of the World Twenty20 qualifiers in the UAE with a torn hamstring.

Mooney fell awkwardly in pursuit of a catch on the boundary during Ireland's 17 runs victory over Scotland at the Dubai International Stadium yesterday and an MRI scan revealed the worst for the 30 year old Dubliner.

Poynter got the nod ahead of the other named reserves, Tim Murtagh, the uncapped Middlesex pace bowler who has recently qualified for Ireland, slow bowler Albert van der Merwe and Instonians batsman James Shannon.

Ironically Niall O'Brien, who was left out of this squad because he chose to play in the Bangladesh Premier League last month rather than play for Ireland in Kenya is due to arrive in Dubai on Wednesday to play for MCC and Stuart Poynter is also here with the MCC Young Cricketers.

Yesterday's victory over the Scots, masterminded by Ed Joyce's highest T20 score in 66 matches for county or country, eases any worries Ireland might have had of securing a top three place in Group B, which qualifies them for the play-off matches for a place in the finals in Sri Lanka in September.

Ireland's final two group games are against Uganda today and Oman tomorrow, both of which they would be expected to win without Mooney's help and with Wednesday a rest day, his replacement will be here in plenty of time to be available for the first play-off game on Thursday.

Alex Cusack was also ruled out of Ireland's game today after he left the field at the end of his second over with a groin strain.


The injuries, rather than overshadowing arguably Ireland's best performance of the tournament, showed up the depth of the bowling resources which are sure to stand them in good stead at the business end this week.

Despite the loss of Cusack and Mooney, Kevin O'Brien was available and willing to bowl a full quota, his first overs since South Africa 13 days ago, and Paul Stirling who has been called on only every other match, bowled the last four even overs.

O'Brien not only ended up with three wickets but also played a major part in the run out of Jan Stander which led to two wickets in two balls and reduced Scotland to 101 for five, and needing 59 from 31 balls. They didn't get close and victory was all but confirmed when captain Kyle Coetzer gave a return catch to O'Brien after a fine innings of 62 from 52 balls with four sixes and just two fours.

Coetzer, however, had to take second billing behind Joyce who came to the middle for the fourth ball of the match – after Paul Stirling steered his first ball to slip - and finished 78 not out with six fours and three sixes.

Kevin O'Brien and Gary Wilson, still so consistent, both scored at better than a run-a-ball but by that stage Joyce was in control with his piece de resistance the last two balls of the innings, which both cleared the boundary. They ensured a nervy finish was turned into a comfortable one.

When the Scotland reply began, all eyes were on the battle between Boyd Rankin, the bowler of the tournament, and Callum MacLeod, the leading batsman. There was no doubt who won the duel however as the Scotland opener repeatedly stepped back out of line to the pace and hostility of the 6ft 8ins bowler. He connected with one cut to the thirdman boundary but when he went to sweep, he was plumb in front and umpire Simon Taufel ended the short but sweet contest.