KOLKATA: Paul Stirling smashed a whirlwind 101 as Ireland scored a six-wicket victory over the Netherlands Friday to finish off its World Cup campaign on a high. Stirling shared an Irish record opening stand of 177 with captain William Porterfield which laid the foundation for a successful run chase after Netherlands posted 306 from 50 overs. Ireland reached 307-4 in 47.4 overs with Niall O'Brien ensuring the win with an unbeaten 57. Earlier, Ryan ten Doeschate stroked a fluent 106 to steer the Dutch innings. His effort was supplemented by captain Peter Borren (84) and Wesley Baressi (44), even as Stirling took two wickets. Ireland finished with two wins in six matches, while the Netherlands failed to register a win. The Irish made a flying start in the run chase, with Stirling and Porterfield going for their strokes on a docile pitch at the Eden Gardens before both went out within four balls. Stirling struck 101 off 72 balls with 14 fours and two sixes while Porterfield made 68 off 93 with 10 fours in an opening partnership that far surpassed their own previous national mark of 118 against Bangladesh at Belfast last year. Dutch captain Borren conceded after the match that his lineup should have set a higher total. Ten Doeschate continued the fine form to become the third batsman to notch two centuries in this World Cup after Sachin Tendulkar of India and South African AB de Villiers.
