At Phoenix Park, MCC 293 (37.3 overs; Swapnil Modgill 94, Mohit Sane 43, Ben Jarman 36, Ehtesham Ahmed 28, James McCollum 24; Arthur Morphew 5-50) beat Leinster Schools 289 (39.1 overs; Bruce Whaley 124, Eli Clarke 40, Ryan Keenan 24, Vihaan Puri 24; Joe Prendergast 3-36, Charlie Fernandes 2-42) by four runs.

MCC made it three wins from three on their Irish tour, but only just, edging out Leinster Schools by four runs in a thrilling high-scoring encounter at Phoenix Park.

Batting first, MCC piled up an imposing 293 in just 37.3 overs thanks largely to a blistering innings from Swapnil Modgill. The Merrion opener smashed 94 from only 60 deliveries, peppering the boundary from the outset and giving MCC the perfect platform. 

Mohit Sane added a fluent 43, while Ben Jarman struck 36 and Ehtesham Ahmed contributed 28 in an innings packed with aggressive strokeplay. James McCollum also chipped in with 24 before Arthur Morphew led the Leinster Schools fightback superbly, claiming 5-50 to keep his side in the contest.

Chasing 294 looked a huge task, but Ireland Under-19 international Bruce Whaley produced one of the finest innings of his young career to almost pull off an extraordinary victory. Given an early life when a difficult chance went down first ball, Whaley made MCC pay heavily as he hammered 124 from just 64 balls, blasting 14 fours and eight towering sixes in a breathtaking counterattack.

With support from Eli Clarke, who made 40, plus useful contributions from Ryan Keenan and Vihaan Puri with 24 apiece, Leinster Schools pushed the game to the limit. 
However, MCC held their nerve in the closing stages, with Joe Prendergast taking 3-36 and Charlie Fernandes 2-42, as the students were eventually dismissed for 289 in 39.1 overs.

MCC conclude their tour on Friday against Irish Universities.