GOOD DAYS BUT BETTER KNIGHTS

16 July 2013

Two days of entertaining Interprovincial cricket in splendid conditions showcased the value of this rejuvenated series even if the cricket looked a little haggard at times.

GOOD DAYS BUT BETTER KNIGHTS

  The Green was resplendent for the occasion and the spectators included a healthy array of the unions’ hierarchy, including Cricket Ireland President Robin Walsh and NCU President Chris Harte. There were alickadoos aplenty and a number of former international players who mixed freely with the spectators, but for such an occasion and in beautiful weather many more cricket followers were conspicuous by their absence. The RSA Interprovincial Series is not dependent on spectators to make it a success, but it would help if a lot more cricket enthusiasts came along to support the tournament and the players.

Lightning and Knights

The Northern Knights will look back on the two days with great satisfaction after winning all three games albeit not too convincingly. Their two wickets win in the 50 overs format was much closer than it should have been after they lost their concentration in the field and allowed the North-West Warriors to recover from a precarious position to reach 232-9. Johnny Thompson (86) and David Rankin (52) batted superbly, but they enjoyed several ‘lives’ and some lack-lustre fielding lapses. Thankfully for the Knights their skipper Andrew White was also in superb form and his match-winning 64 not out saw them home, albeit with a late scare as three wickets fell cheaply close to the finish.

  Leinster Lightning joined their northern neighbours on the second day for the two Twenty20 matches, but they looked a little jaded in both batting and bowling. The Poynter brothers were the pick of their batsmen in a modest 143-8 total and their much-lauded attack failed to fire on all cylinders against a spirited Nigel Jones (77) and Lee Nelson (30). Jones was a runaway MOM even after he carelessly threw his wicket away close to the finish and caused a little panic for McCann and debutant Holmes.

  Later in the afternoon Johnny Thompson (51no) was the main performer in the Warriors’ 144-5 total against the Knights, but once James Shannon (62) and Lee Nelson (37no) got into their stride a home win always looked likely and it came with six wickets and an over to spare.

Cricket Ireland President Robin Walsh and MOM Nigel Jones

  Overall the bowlers were on top in the three matches despite a good batting track and fast outfield. The standard of fielding was also ragged at times, but there were plenty of positives to ensure Interprovincial cricket has an important part to play in the development of cricket at the highest level. National Coach Phil Simmons was in attendance and he was surely impressed by a number of fine performances. These included Johnny Thompson, Nigel Jones, Andrew White, James Shannon, Lee Nelson, and David Rankin with the bat and Phil Eaglestone, Peter Eakin, Eddie Richardson, and Peter Connell with the ball. Connell in particular looked lean and mean, and with the pending retirement of Trent Johnston he may have played himself back into contention after a few years in the ‘wilderness.’

  Much has been said and written about the gap in class between the Leinster Lightning and their northern adversaries, but on their Comber showing the gap is closing and although the Warriors lost their two games to the Knights there’s not a lot between the two teams and this says much for the way the North-West team has fought back from disappointing earlier performances. It sets up an exciting finale at Bready on Sunday and hopefully more fans will come out to support their teams and make it an occasion to remember.

Clarence Hiles

Editor         

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