Hamilton hundred guides Scotland

Gavin Hamilton scored his first ODI ton © Getty Images

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Gavin Hamilton hit his first one-day international century as Scotland set up a tri-series decider against New Zealand with a five-wicket win over Ireland at Aberdeen.

The former Yorkshire and England all-rounder's 115 from 152 balls provided the foundation for the Scots to overhaul their rivals’ 210 for eight with 15 balls to spare.

Hamilton, who was out with just three needed for victory, hit 13 fours and put on 122 for the third wicket with local hero Colin Smith.

It was that partnership which turned the match firmly in the hosts’ favour following the loss of Ryan Watson for a duck and Qasim Sheikh (23).

Aberdeenshire’s Smith played his part with a gritty 59, including six boundaries, from 82 balls as the Scots eased to their target.

They could even afford a mini-collapse with three wickets falling for just 10 runs before the job was completed.

Earlier Dewald Nel put the Scots on top with a brilliant opening spell.

The former Worcestershire seamer, who went on to claim record Scottish ODI figures of 4-25, made the breakthrough when he found the edge of Reinhardt Strydom’s bat in the eighth over.

It was not all one-way traffic, though, and Nel’s figures suffered when Gary Wilson clipped one of his five boundaries through the covers.

However, Ireland’s plight intensified when 17-year-old Paul Stirling, having slogged one boundary off John Blain, played loosely at a wide one from Nel and was comfortably held by Richie Berrington at gully.

Nel claimed a third scalp when Andre Botha flashed outside off stump and Smith took a superb catch above his head to reduce Ireland to 45 for three.

Dewald Nel took Scotland's best ever bowling figures

They enjoyed a let-off when Wilson, having made 31, was dropped by Scots skipper Watson off the bowling of Gordon Goudie.

However, the miss proved relatively inexpensive as Goudie got his man - courtesy of a third Smith catch - in his next over.

Ireland finally found some substance to their innings in the form of a 65-run partnership between Andrew White and Ryan Haire.

Former Northants batsman White made a patient 34 with three boundaries while Haire, in only his second ODI, went on to top-score with 54, including seven boundaries and a six.

It needed something special to part the pair and it was provided by Hamilton, who took a stunning one-handed catch on the deep midwicket boundary to dismiss White off Blain’s bowling.

Blain, returning to top-flight action after a five-week injury lay-off, also picked-up the wicket of Andrew Poynter en route to figures of 2-29 from his 10 overs.

Goudie returned to the attack to end Haire’s 64-ball knock but a second half-century stand - this time between Kyle McCallan (39) and Thinus Fourie (19no) - saw Ireland recover from 153 for seven.

Scotland coach Pete Steindl heaped praise on his side after their victory, declaring: “I’m delighted with the win but it was the manner of the performance which made it special.

“There were a couple of really good individual performances but the whole team chipped-in. When you’re chasing a total one of the important things is sticking to the run-rate and we managed that.

“Even in a sticky spell when the spinners were on, Gavin managed to keep the board moving. Gav saw the game through and I’m really pleased for him getting his hundred.”

Hamilton added: “It’s always nice to get a hundred but I think the whole team deserve credit. The bowlers set up the win and then all the batsmen were positive from ball one.”