Ireland’s T20 World Cup campaign got off to a horrendous start as they were well beaten by Scotland – effectively a must-win game for them – at a windy and chilly Old Trafford.

Four wickets in nine balls saw Ireland collapse from 67 for two to 70 for six in vain pursuit of the Scots’ imposing 161 for five. It left Ireland needing 92 from seven overs and a crazy run out – when Arlene Kelly called Orla Prendergast for an impossible second – sealed their fate.  

It was a fourth successive win for Scotland over Ireland who have now played 18 World Cup games and lost 18. This might have been the best chance of breaking their duck at  this tournament.

But, not for the first time, the Bryce sisters were the scourge of the Irish. A third wicket partnership of 106 – their fourth century stand in a T20I - put Scotland in control, but after Kelly had Sarah Bryce caught behind for 49, Ireland still gave themselves a chance by restricting the Scots to just 19 runs in the last four overs, Ava Canning dismissing Kathryn Bryce for 60 with seven balls remaining.

It was Canning’s third wicket, after making the initial breakthrough in her opening spell and figures of three for 27 were comfortably the best of the Ireland bowlers although Kelly also kept it tight, conceding just 24 runs in her four overs.

Alana Dalzell retained her place in the side as an opening batter – she bowled only two overs, the first in the 14th over – but although she avoided the ignominy  of a third successive golden duck , she was still out in the first over, for six, albeit to  a superb one-handed return catch by Kathryn Bryce.

Captain Gaby Lewis never got going and was put out of misery after facing 19 balls for 11, and while Amy Hunter at least found the boundary five times  in her 39 off 36, it was already looking an  uphill task for Ireland.

It became virtually impossible when that horrible collapse happened in the 12th and 13th overs. First Hunter missed a reverse sweep and was bowled by Katherine Fraser and then her spin partner, the experienced Kirsty Gordon, who played for England back in 2018, all but settled the game with three wickets in four balls.

She bowled Rebecca Stokell, then received a simple return catch from Leah Paul and Alice Tector was beaten all ends up with the last ball of the over.

Prendergast prevented the hat-trick and with Kelly threatened a fightback, as they added 34 in the next 22 balls, but a disastrous call by Kelly ended  those faint hopes with Prendergast comfortably run  out by a throw from long-on, after scoring  33 from 23 balls, which included the only six of the innings.

Gordon and Fraser ended with combined figures of six for 35; in contrast Ireland’s two front-line spinners Aimee Maguire and Cara Murray conceded 36 in back to back overs with the Bryces in full flow.

Ireland have just three days to recover before they take on England on Tuesday night in Southampton. After this the only way is up but…