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Ireland International Matches
Scotland drew with Ireland
3 Day, Edinburgh, 7 July 1928
Scorecard
Derek Scott

Forced into fielding without two of their best bowlers, Anderson and Sievwright, Scotland achieved a remarkable draw in a game which was for them always an uphill struggle. 40 minutes remained when the ninth Scottish wicket fell in their second innings but so well did the number 11, Watson, bat that he actually scored 25 not out in that 40 minutes and the game was saved. Of the originally selected Irish team Bookman withdrew and was replaced by Seymour.

On the first day Ireland batted very well on a pitch that was slow after heavy rain. The main-stay of the innings was TJ Macdonald's 132 in his third game and fourth innings for Ireland. It lasted 4½ hours, or from the start of play to near the tea interval, and he gave no chance until his score was 103. Macdonald and Robinson opened. Scoring was slow, at first, but the bowling lacked sting and pretty soon play brightened.

Near lunch, with the score at 75, Robinson made a faulty stroke and was caught at cover for 32. First ball after lunch "TJ." completed his 50. James Macdonald and Ganly left for two and four respectively and it was McVeagh, at number five, who became "TJ's" next enduring partner. McVeagh soon spread the field with his powerful strokes and the pair added 144 for the fourth wicket during the course of which Macdonald went to his century. After McVeagh left, caught behind the wicket by Craig off Melville, for a well hit 65, Macdonald and his new partner, Douglas, continued to hit hard and the innings ended at 346. Douglas got 57 and Macdonald was eventually stumped for 132. Scotland tried seven bowlers and five of them took wickets. John Kerr and Craig scored 11 in reply without loss for Scotland.

The second day saw Ireland ram home her advantage by dismissing Scotland for 211, thus getting a lead of 135. This was augmented by a further 111 scored for the loss of four second innings wickets before the close of play. Kerr, the captain, was cautious and scientific for his 52 while Alexander made a similar score in enterprising fashion. No one else but Mackay, 29 and Melville, 24, gave much trouble. Dixon took 5-52 in 26.4 overs and among his victims were both the opening batsmen and Alexander.

When Ireland batted again, Robinson left without a run scored but the Macdonald brothers put up a stubborn defence and the score was 85 before a separation was effected. Ganly again failed but after two hours 100 went up and at the end of the day McVeagh and Douglas were together.

Next morning in poor weather McVeagh and Douglas hit splendidly with a declaration in view and the score was taken quickly to 215 before Douglas was bowled by Drinnan for 63. Six runs later Ireland declared leaving McVeagh 56 not out. Both he and Douglas had scored "a 50" in each innings. Scotland were set 357 to win. John Kerr started in great style and hit 50 in 87 minutes. Alexander came in at number three and added 50 with Kerr, the second wicket falling at 139. Stevenson, 28 and Groves, 31, give valuable support to their captain who duly went to his century in 2½ hours. In so doing, he completed his 1000 runs against Ireland since his first game in 1913. Eventually, after batting for three hours and scoring 11 fours, he was stumped by Kelly off Pemberton with the score at 225. He had made 137.

Wickets then fell quickly to Dixon's bowling until the last pair's magnificent effort. Drinnan and Watson were played for their bowling but they rose to the occasion with the bat in splendid style and enabled their country to draw. Watson scored 25 not out and had two "lives" while Drinnan scored 24 not out. The pair added 44. Seymour of Ireland was no-bowled for throwing in the second innings and was taken off after one over. He never played for Ireland again.