18 June 2004	Friday	29 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

BELFAST, June 17: A century from Brian Lara helped the West Indies to a comfortable 96-run win over Ireland on Wednesday in their first tour match before the one-day triangular series later this month

Lara stroked 106 off 99 balls but was the only West Indian batsman to score more than fifty in their 242 all out off 46.2 overs. Paceman Ravi Rampaul was the pick of the bowlers taking three for 25 from six overs as Ireland were dismissed for 146 in 37.4 overs.

Ireland were preparing for the ICC Intercontinental Cup with other smaller cricket playing nations. West Indies play their first game in the triangular series against New Zealand at Edgbaston on June 26.

The final takes place at Lord's on July 10. The West Indies then play England in a four-match Test series during July and August.

Scoreboard

WEST INDIES:

C.H. Gayle b McCoubrey 16

S. Chanderpaul run out 11

D.S. Smith c O'Brien b McCoubrey 4

D.J.J. Bravo b Botha 45

B.C. Lara c McCallan b White 106

R.L. Powell b McCallan 14

D.J.G. Sammy c Morgan b White 0

C.S. Baugh c sub b McCallan 15

I.D.R. Bradshaw c O'Brien b Botha 7

R. Rampaul not out 6

J.J.C. Lawson b Botha 1

EXTRAS (LB-4 w-7 nb-6) 17

TOTAL (all out, 46.2 overs) 242

FALL OF WKTS: 1-29, 2-33, 3-40, 4-179, 5-205, 6-206, 7-224, 8-233, 9-239.

BOWLING: Johnston 8-1-29-0 (2nb, 1w); McCoubrey 6-1-26-2 (3nb, 4w); Botha 8.2-0-42-3 (1nb); Cooke 7-0-23-0 (1w); White 9-0-62-2 (1w); McCallan 8-0-56-2.

IRELAND:

J.A.M. Molins c Bravo b Rampaul 18

J.P. Bray b Rampaul 21

A.C. Botha b Bradshaw 21

N.J. O'Brien c Baugh b Rampaul 2

P.G. Gillespie c Gayle b Sammy 3

A.R. White c Baugh b Bradshaw 8

W.K. McCallan b Lawson 32

D.T. Johnston c Bradshaw b Gayle 17

E.J.G. Morgan b Gayle 9

A.G.A.M. McCoubrey not out 0

G. Cooke absent hurt -

EXTRAS (W-6, NB-9) 15

TOTAL (all out, 37.4 overs) 146

FALL OF WKTS: 1-30, 2-39, 3-47, 4-71, 5-74, 6-91, 7-129, 8-145, 9-146.

BOWLING: Rampaul 6-1-25-3 (2nb, 1w); Lawson 7.4-0-30-1 (3nb); Bradshaw 7-1-22-2 (2nb, 1w); Sammy 7-0-28-1 (1nb); Bravo 6-0-29-0 (1nb, 3w); Gayle 4-1-12-2 (1nb).

RESULT: West Indies won by 96 runs. -Reuters