Ireland first innings 362-3

Bermuda toiled in vain chasing leather in the field yesterday as cup holders Ireland piled up an impressive 362 for three in 98 overs to steal the early thunder during opening day's play of the Intercontinental Cup between the two countries in Dublin.

Left handers William Porterfield (153 not out) and Andre Botha (122) both clobbered polished centuries to lead the carnage as the tourists - who endured a fluctuating day of fortunes after milking early success with the new ball - could find no answer to the onslaught.

Pacer George O'Brien Jr. got Bermuda off to a promising start by snatching the wicket of opener Andrew White (five) in the third over of the match.

But Porterfield and Botha shared in a vital 45-run stand that lifted the Irish to 52 for one at lunch before the floodgates were opened when play resumed with the hosts scoring at will on both sides of the wicket while Bermuda's bowlers struggled to maintain a steady line and length.

Botha was eventually out, caught at first slip to a juggling catch by Dwayne Leverock off Stefan Kelly in the 53rd over, but by then the damage had already been done as the prolific batsman thumped a second straight Intercontinental Cup century in fine style.

Botha's audacious innings lasted 147 balls and was decorated with 20 boundaries. He also shared in a massive 221-run partnership for the second wicket along with Porterfield that gradually took the game away from Bermuda.

After Botha's dismissal had momentarily revived Bermuda hopes of a collapse, it was Porterfield who continued to carry the attack to the Island's bowlers after being out down at second slip when on 28, reaching a deserved ton off 187 balls shortly after tea as the Irish tightened their grip on the match.

Porterfield also shared in a 72-run third-wicket stand with Northampshire wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien, who stroked a fluent 39 off 56 balls to help lift Ireland beyond the triple century mark, and at stumps had added another 62 runs for the fourth wicket along with Kevin O'Brien (25 not out).

It's now anticipated the Irish will try to quickly add to their overnight total when play resumes today at the Clontarf Cricket Club before possibly making a declaration before lunch.

"We will have a chat in the morning before we warm up and then decide what we want to do and how far we want to go on before we declare," commented Ireland coach and former West Indies batsman Phil Simmons.

In scoring over 350 runs on the first day, Simmons said his team had been able to execute the game plan so far before paying tribute to centurions Porterfield and Botha.

"It's an amazing thing, confidence. And from the time he (Botha) went out there you could see that he was confident from the 186 he scored in the last match (against Scotland)," Simmons added.

"Both batsmen played extremely well and it's good to see Porterfield continue on instead of giving anybody else a chance. And that's the way you have do it when you have an opportunity."

Bermuda could consider themselves unlucky on several occasions as chances went begging over the slip cordon, backward and forward of point and in the third man region during the late afternoon session.

Yet despite not having the luck of the Irish rub off on his team - who endured another "long day at the office" - skipper Irving Romaine was still able to manage a smile at close of play.

"These guys (Botha and Porterfield) are class batsmen and anything pitched loosely was dispatched to the boundary," he said. "We were packing one side of the field but gave up a boundary ball almost every over and I think that came back to haunt us."

As for Porterfield's marathon innings so far, Romaine added: "Luck is definitely riding with him, but you can't take anything away from it because he is batting extremely well."

When asked if he had any regrets sending the Irish in to bat in what has so far proven to be batsmen-friendly conditions, Romaine emphatically replied: "No."

"The wicket definitely had something in it earlier on," he insisted. "It was just good batting on their behalf. And so we will just have to come back tomorrow and try again."

Left arm spinner Leverock has taken one for 62 off 19 overs with three maidens so far to lead Bermuda's attack, along with seamers Kelly (one for 68) and O'Brien (one for 64).

O'Brien left the field late during the day's final session after experiencing discomfort in his right hand, forcing Bermuda to decline the new ball in the absence of their strike bowler after 80 overs.

But it is almost a certainty the Islanders will call for the new ball when play resumes today, with O'Brien expected to be declared fit to rejoin the tourists' attack.