Ireland move another step closer to Test match cricket with thumping victory

Ireland's long road to Test match cricket continued unabated this morning after they completed a convincing victory over Namibia in the Intercontinental Cup.

The winners of the eight-nation round-robin competition will face the lowest team in the ICC's Test rankings in 2018 in a four-match series where victory will ensure promotion to Test status. John Bracewell's side made it two wins from two after claiming the maximum 20 points from their trip to Namibia, with spin bowler George Dockrell picking up the final two wickets this morning to wrap up victory by an innings and 107 runs. The foundations for success were laid on day two when a stunning partnership of 326 between Ed Joyce (205, his second double century in two matches) and captain William Porterfield (186) took the game away from the hosts as Ireland racked up a daunting 570-6 in reply to Namibia's 251. Paceman Tim Murtagh took three wickets in his first three overs yesterday to reduce Namibia to 12-4 as the final result became little more than a formality. Next up for Ireland is a tricky away tie against Papua New Guinea in the New Year.