Emerging Ireland are firmly in the driver’s seat at stumps on day three of their second four-day encounter against the West Indies Academy at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on Thursday.

At stumps on day three, the West Indies Academy were 148-3 off 28 overs, trailing their Irish counterparts by 93 runs in their second innings.

Ackeem Auguste ended the day 70* off 91 balls including 11 fours while opening partner Kadeem Alleyne contributed a run-a-ball 38 including five fours and a six.

Earlier, the hosts were dismissed for 441 in 112.5 overs after starting the day 397-7 off 103 overs.

Fionn Hand, who started day three on 61* ended up being dismissed for 79.

The bulk of the Irish run scoring came from captain Andrew Balbirnie who hit 88 off 134 balls on Wednesday. He was well supported by Andy McBrine who hit 64 and James McCollum who hit 40. 

Kelvin Pittman, Nyeem Young, Joshua Bishop and captain Teddy Bishop all took two wickets, each.

The Academy were dismissed for 200 in their first innings after winning the toss and batting first on Tuesday.

Teddy Bishop was the main scorer in that batting effort with 69 while Nyeem Young (29), Jewel Andrew (27) and Ackeem Auguste (26) all got starts.

Full Scores:

West Indies Academy 200 off 56 overs (Teddy Bishop 69, Nyeem Young 29, Jewel Andrew 27, Ackeem Auguste 26, Matthew Humphreys 5-57, Curtis Campher 3-12) & 148-3 off 28 overs (Ackeem Auguste 70*, Kadeem Alleyne 38)

Emerging Ireland 441 all out off 112.5 overs (Andrew Balbirnie 88, Fionn Hand 79, Andy McBrine 64, James McCollum 40, Paul Stirling 32, Teddy Bishop 2-35, Nyeem Young 2-55, Kelvin Pittman 2-65, Joshua Bishop 2-72)