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CRICKET FORMALLY INCLUDED IN LA28 OLYMPIC GAMES

The ICC is thrilled at the confirmation that cricket will be part of sports programme of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028 (LA28). Cricket’s inclusion was formally ratified by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today at the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai, following LA28’s recommendation last week.

The addition of cricket in the Olympics, for the first time since 1900, concludes a two-year process, in which the ICC worked extensively to develop an exciting proposal that supports the Olympic values and LA28’s mission to create an unparalleled experience for athletes, fans, partners and the local community.

The Olympic Games is estimated to have an audience of more than 3 billion viewers across TV and digital platforms, representing a unique opportunity for cricket to engage new audiences and further boost the sport’s reach across the world, opening the door to a new generation of cricket enthusiasts.

Reflecting on the news, ICC Chairman Greg Barclay commented, "We are thrilled that cricket’s inclusion in the LA28 Olympic Games has been confirmed by the IOC Session today. To have the opportunity to showcase our great sport at the LA28 Games and hopefully many Olympic Games to come will be great for players and fans alike.

“I’d like to thank the International Olympic Committee and LA28 for their support and for their trust in our organization’s ability to deliver a world-class event and countless new Olympic fans from all over the world. The fact that the IOC confirmation of our selection occurred here in Mumbai, during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, is truly icing on the cake. The innings has just begun, and we can't wait to see where this incredible journey leads.”

Mithali Raj, former India captain and leading female run scorer of all time said: “It is so exciting that cricket is now an Olympic sport and will make its return at LA28. Players will get the chance to compete for an Olympic gold medal and be part of the games which will be so special. It’s also a chance for more fans around the world to enjoy our fantastic sport.”

Despite record 9th and 10th wicket stands for Ireland, and career-best scores for Barry McCarthy, Craig Young and Josh Little, the Men in Green fell to a 48-run loss to England in the second of the three-match One Day International (ODI) series at Trent Bridge.

George Dockrell’s all-round performance – scoring 43 runs and taking 3-43 – grabbed the plaudits for Ireland, it wasn’t enough to stop a rampant England from claiming a win to go 1-0 up in the three-match series after game 1 was lost to the weather.

Ireland made one change from the side that beat Nepal in their last One Day International – with Craig Young coming in for Gareth Delany, while England gave international debuts to Sam Hain, Jamie Smith, Tom Hartley, and George Scrimshaw.

In stark contrast to Headingley on Wednesday, Trent Bridge was bathed in sunshine, as Ireland captain Paul Stirling won the toss and elected to bowl first, looking to extract some movement from the pitch early on. However, it was England who started on the front foot, with openers Phil Salt and Will Jacks striking 55 off the first six overs.

To stop the flow of runs, Stirling turned to his change-bowler Young - and that decision proved incisive as the North Down paceman took two wickets in three balls - first he removed Salt (28) clipping the ball straight to Stirling at extra cover, and Zak Crawley (0) trapped lbw.

With Ireland looking to capitalise on the in-roads, England’s Will Jacks (94) and Ben Duckett (48) began to counter-attack with a 101-run stand – followed up by debutant Sam Hain smashing 89 off 82 balls – and England finished strongly registering 334-8 from their 50 overs.

While the numbers looked like it was a tough day out for the Irish bowlers, the truth was that – the first six overs aside – they acquitted themselves reasonably well, but were met by a home side that came out swinging and determined to ride their luck at times.

Set a target of 335, Ireland’s top-order started well scoring 46 from the first 26 balls, but soon found themselves two wickets down after Andrew Balbirnie (14) and Stirling (25) in two balls. Curtis Campher (9) and Lorcan Tucker (11) came and went, but
Harry Tector stroked a confident 39 (five fours) before succumbing to Rehan Ahmed – following a spectacular diving catch by Jacks - and Ireland were reeling at 121-5 in the 20th over.

More wickets fell and when Mark Adair was trapped in front for 12, Ireland was heading to an early defeat at 157-7. Or so those watching the game may have reasonably surmised. Dockrell (43) began to play more expensively, while McCarthy (with an ODI career-best 41), Young (with a career-best 40*) and Little (with a career-best 29) showed spirited fight and resilience, to bring the game into the final four overs.

In the end Ireland had conceded too many runs with the ball early and had spent the match trying to catch up. The defeat made narrower with ODI-record ninth wicket and tenth wicket partnerships of 43 and 55 respectively.

The sides will meet again in the final ODI on Tuesday 26 September at the Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol, with a 12.30pm start.

MATCH SUMMARY
England v Ireland, 2nd One-Day International, Trent Bridge, Nottingham, 23 September 2023
England 334-8 (50 overs; W Jacks 94, S Hain 89; G Dockrell 3-43)
Ireland 286 (46.4 overs; G Dockrell 43, B McCarthy 41; R Ahmed 4-54)
England won by 48 runs

You don't need to suffer the wet, windy and cold weather in Ireland. Treat yourself to a Caribbean holiday with cricket!

Cricket West Indies (CWI) today confirmed the start times for the first ever Christmas Series played between West Indies and England in December 2023. The series will feature eight matches – three CG United One-Day Internationals (ODI) and five T20 Internationals (T20I) from 3 to 21 December as fans get the opportunity to rally at home and celebrate with the West Indies ahead of the Christmas holidays.

England arrive in Antigua to start the tour with two CG United ODIs at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on 3 and 6 December. The 1st CG United ODI is a day game starting at 9:30am with the 2nd CG United ODI starting at 1:30pm as a day/night game. The 3rd and final CG United ODI to be played at Kensington Oval, Barbados on 9 December will also be a day/night game starting at 1:30pm.

The five-match T20I starts in Barbados with the first match played at Kensington Oval under lights starting at 6pm. The Spice Isle of Grenada then welcomes both teams for the 2nd and 3rd T20Is on 14 and 16 December with both matches starting at 1:30pm.

The tour concludes in the week before Christmas with the 4th and 5th T20Is on December 19 and 21. The Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad will be hosting a West Indies vs England men’s fixture for the first time with day/night matches starting at 4pm.

Fans can purchase tickets in advance from the Windies Tickets service presented by Mastercard at Tickets.Windiescricket.com . Fans who purchase online and in advance can choose their preferred seats and benefit from a discount compared to tickets purchased at the venue box office.

FULL MATCH SCHEDULE (with start times)

3 December: 1st CG United ODI at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua – 9:30am

6 December: 2nd CG United ODI at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua – 1:30pm

9 December: 3rd CG United at Kensington Oval, Barbados – 1:30pm

12 December: 1st T20I at Kensington Oval, Barbados – 6pm

14 December: 2nd T20I at Grenada National Stadium, Grenada – 1:30pm

16 December: 3rd T20I at Grenada National Stadium, Grenada – 1:30pm

19 December: 4th T20I at Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad – 4pm

21 December: 5th T20I at Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad – 4pm

A classy unbeaten century by Irish international Leah Paul led Merrion to the Arachas Women’s All-Ireland T20 Cup win, while CIYMS won the Men’s Cup title via a Super Over at Malahide today.

In the first game of the day, Merrion won in comprehensive fashion over Fox Lodge by 170 runs in a game reduced to 19 overs-a-side – with Paul’s near faultless century the headline act. Blasting 18 boundaries in her 62-ball knock, Paul dominated the North West side’s bowling attack ably supported by Rachel Delaney’s 36 and Polly Inglis’ 42* from just 19 balls.

In response to Merrion’s 230-3, Fox Lodge battled well to be 53-3 in the 10th over, but then suffered a batting collapse that saw seven wickets fall for just seven runs.

Merrion secured their second-straight Arachas Women’s All-Ireland T20 Cup retaining the dominance of Leinster sides in the Cup competition.

MATCH SUMMARY

Merrion Women v Fox Lodge Women, Women’s All-Ireland T20 Cup Final, Malahide, 27 August 2023

Merrion 230-3 (19 overs; L Paul 112*, P Inglis 42*; L Neely 1-43)
Fox Lodge 60 (13 overs; S Black 29; J Morrissey 2-4, S Stewart 2-4)

Merrion won by 170 run

In the second game of the day, Balbriggan’s Greg Ford struck a six off the last regulation ball to take the Arachas Men’s All-Ireland T20 Cup Final into a Super Over – however, a brilliant display of death overs bowling by CIYMS’s Irish international Mark Adair saw the Belfast side win their second successive Cup.

After being sent into bat first, cup-holders CIYMS started sprightly with Ross Adair (23 from 12 balls) and Chris Dougherty (16 from 20 balls) taking 35 runs from the first 22 balls of the match, before Adair fell to a spectacular running catch at mid-on by Andrew Darroch.

The Belfast-based side were looking to implement their usual aggressive batting style, but while the runs flowed increasingly wickets fell – and by the time an extended rain delay was experienced at the 15 over mark, CIYMS was 102-5.

Conditions turned dark and stormy for a brief period, and after a 45-minute delay CIYMS resumed their innings, striking 32 runs from the final three overs – with two overs lost to the delay. Tyron Koen’s cameo of 36 from 25 balls adding a late injection of runs, with his side finishing on 134-7. Farooq Nasr’s 2-15 from three overs was the pick of the bowlers in the now blustery conditions.

Set a revised 138 from 18 overs as a target, Balbriggan began with intent – Connor Fletcher (22) and Nasr (14) struck 32 from the first 26 balls before Allen Coulter intervened claiming two wickets in two balls to have the Leinster side at 32-2 in the fifth over. Theo van Woerkom then struck with his first ball, getting Nasr caught-and-bowled, before Greg Ford (59*) and Chris DeFreitas (37*) combined for a 98-run unbeaten partnership from 71 balls – culminating in the dramatic last-ball maximum.

In the Super Over, Mark Adair used his guile and experience to restrict Balbriggan to 5-1, before his brother Ross hit the winning runs for a memorable CIYMS victory.

MATCH SUMMARY

Balbriggan Men v CIYMS Men, Men’s All-Ireland T20 Cup Final, Malahide, 27 August 2023

CIYMS 134-7 (18 overs; T Koen 36, R Adair 23; F Nasr 2-15) and 6-0 (0.5 overs)
Balbriggan 137-3 (18 overs; G Ford 59*; A Coulter 2-18) and 5-1 (1 over)

CIYMS won by Super Over

Andrew Balbirnie hit 72 off 51 balls in an exciting yet losing cause as India takes a 2-0 lead in the three-match Joy e-bike T20I series at Malahide today.

Under warm, near cloudless conditions Ireland’s captain Paul Stirling won the toss and sent India in to bat first. After the visitors raced to 29 in the fourth over, Craig Young made the initial breakthrough for the Men in Green with Yashaswi Jaiswal out caught by Curtis Campher for 18 off 11 balls. Barry McCarthy then struck a second blow three balls later by removing Tilak Varma for 1, leaving India at 34-2 in the 5th over.

With Ireland sensing in-roads into the Indian batting line-up, Sanju Samson (40 from 26 balls) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (58 from 43 balls) fought back with a sprightly 71-run stand from 49 balls – peppering the boundary with 10 fours and a six to provide a launch pad for the expected final overs onslaught. Samson, in particular, was finding the straight boundaries with ease. However, just as he was looking set for a game-changing knock, he dragged on a ball that kept low from Ben White. Gaikwad – shortly after registering his 2nd T20I half-century – was soon back in the pavilion as well, having picked out Harry Tector at long on, India 129-4 with 5 overs to go.

Overs 16 to 18 went by modestly, with only 14 runs coming from them, but the tide then turned in the final two overs as the Indian batters took 42 from the last 15 balls. 22 runs came from the 19th by McCarthy, while 20 runs – and a wicket – from the last from Mark Adair as Rinku Singh (38 from 21 balls) and Shivam Dube (22 from 16 balls) smashed five sixes in a death overs assault on the home side attack. With that late boost, India finished on 185-5 from their 20 overs.

Needing a positive start in the run chase, Ireland stuttered losing three wickets in the powerplay to be 31-3 after 6 overs – Stirling (0), Tucker (0) and Tector (7) falling cheaply, each looking to play aggressive strokes on a pitch that was becoming a little slower as the day progressed.

Andrew Balbirnie (72) and Campher (18) steadied the ship with a 35-run partnership from 27 balls, before George Dockrell entered the fray at 63-4 at exactly the halfway mark of the innings. Balbirnie brought up his 10th T20I half-century as he and Dockrell began to up the run rate. The pair put on 52 in five overs before an unfortunate mix-up saw Dockrell run out for 13.

After two crowd-pleasing sixes from Balbirnie, the opener fell feathering a ball outside off from Arshdeep Singh, and Ireland’s cause looked lost at 123-6.

Adair provided a late flurry of runs (23 off 15 balls), but Ireland couldn’t sustain the rate and eventually fell 33 runs short.

MATCH SUMMARY
Ireland Men v India Men, 2nd T20I, Malahide, 20 August 2023
India 185-5 (20 overs; R Gaikwad 58, S Samson 40; B McCarthy 2-36)
Ireland 152-8 (20 overs; A Balbirnie 72; J Bumrah 2-15)
India won by 33 runs

Heavy rain left Ireland frustrated in their curtailed T20I opener against India at Malahide, suffering a narrow two-run loss via the DLS method, despite Craig Young’s two wickets in two balls right before showers forced play to be suspended.
Ireland, put into bat, collapsed early on, falling to 31-5 before Curtis Campher and Barry McCarthy’s rescue act, but Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad did just enough to keep them above the required score before the rain ended the proceedings.
India fielded two T20I debutants in Rinku Singh and Prasidh Krishna, with captain Jasprit Bumrah, also returning after a long layoff, proving he was back to his formidable best in his very first over. After electing to field, he bowled Andrew Balbirnie with a blistering delivery off just his second ball. Balbirnie got an inside edge onto his off stump, having taken a four off Bumrah’s first ball.
Later in the over, Bumrah had a second. Lorcan Tucker tried to ramp a length ball but lobbed it straight up to Sanju Samson with the keeping gloves. Four overs later, Harry Tector went in exactly the same fashion, this time giving Krishna his first T20I wicket
With Paul Stirling out two balls later for a run-a-ball 11, the collapse was on, leaving Ireland on 30-4 at the end of the powerplay. George Dockrell and Mark Adair couldn’t arrest the slide, leaving Ireland staring down the barrel.
But Barry McCarthy’s late innings onslaught brought him a maiden T20I half-century and powered Ireland back into the game. He and Campher put on a 57-run partnership off 44 balls, accelerating towards the end of the innings to bring Ireland back in the game. Campher departed two overs before the end of the innings to a ripper of a yorker from Arshdeep Singh: that’s when McCarthy took on the scoring mantle solo.
Having already hit an enormous six into the trees, he took 21 off Arshdeep’s final over. A six off the penultimate ball was followed by a shoulder-height beamer from Arshdeep, giving McCarthy - on 45 at the time - the chance to get to fifty off a free hit on the final ball of the innings.
He did not disappoint. Served up a wide full toss, McCarthy flayed the ball over cover boundary for six. Having been on 59-6 in the 11th over, McCarthy’s boundary-fueled blitz gave Ireland a more defendable total of 139-7. Even so, a monumental effort was needed from Josh Little - fresh off his stint in the Hundred -
India’s young, IPL-honed opening partnership set about keeping their rate above par score as the drizzle increasingly threatened play. Yashasvi Jaiswal took two boundaries off Mark Adair’s first over, taking advantage of the slight overpitching.
Little interrupted the flow of runs with his first play of the game, however, conceding three singles before he was sure he had Jaiswal caught behind off his fifth ball. Ultra-edge, though, showed the ball just missing the bat, doubly frustrating for Ireland after an easy runout chance had been missed just two balls earlier.
The India openers managed to hit just enough boundaries to stay ahead of the rate as the powerplay continued, Gaikwad hitting the first six of the innings with a pull behind square off McCarthy.
But, in the space of an over, Craig Young threatened to turn the game. He saw the end of Jaiswal with his second delivery, Stirling taking a swirling high catch, before getting Tilak Varma with his next. Varma was cramped for room by a short ball but got a feather edge down the leg side for Tucker to take a good diving catch. With India 46-2 and the DLS par score at 44, the game was finely balanced as the rain started to get heavier.
Two balls later, it was too heavy to continue, and covers were brought out onto the pitch. As the rain turned into a deluge, play was unable to resume, giving India a two-run victory via the DLS method. It was a frustrating end to the game for the hosts after two pieces of individual genius right before the halt.

The second T20I will begin on Sunday, August 20, at 3pm local time.

MATCH SCORECARD
Ireland Men v India Men, 1st T20I, Malahide, 18 August 2023
Ireland 139-7 (20 overs; B McCarthy 51*, C Campher 39; J Bumrah 2-24)
India 47-2 (6.5 overs; y Jaiswal 24; C Young 2-2)
India won by 2 runs (DLS)

Patrick Kruger led Derriaghy to its first-ever Arachas National Cup title defeating Cliftonville Academy by 4 wickets in a rain-affected match at Waringstown today.
After winning the toss, Cliftonville Academy captain Max Burton chose to bat first, however may have soon been regretting his decision after he watched on from the non-strikers end as two wickets fell in the first two overs of this 40 over-a-side match. Burton was joined by Jared Wilson (15) and the pair batted determinedly to stabilise the innings - but on 32, Burton top-edged a pull shot and was caught at deep mid-wicket by a running Craig Lewis.
A brilliant direct hit run out by Jordan Wade then saw the end of Wilson with Cliftonville Academy sitting at a precarious 72-4 in the 15th over.
Abhishek Raut (25) and Varun Chopra (35) added much needed middle-order runs before Derriaghy’s pace bowlers Patrick Kruger (4-27) and Lewis (3-31) ran through the lower order – the last six wickets falling for 64 runs with Cliftonville Academy bowled out for 155 in 36.2 overs.
With several rain delays, the match was reduced to a 37 over-a-side affair with the DLS adjusted target for Derriaghy set at 155.
When Richard Hood bowled a wicket maiden to start the second innings, the spirits of Cliftonville Academy fans rose in anticipation, but Derriaghy opener Matthew Halliday quickly reeled off seven boundaries – many being well-timed pull shots to cow corner – to swing the momentum of the match back towards the Derriaghy side.
However, just as Halliday threatened to take the game away, he blazed a short ball to fielder Andrew Forbes at deep mid-wicket, out for 41 (44). Shortly afterwards the rain returned and after a lengthy delay the teams resumed the match with a further seven overs lost and a DLS-revised target of 139 confirmed. Returning to the crease, Kruger set about finishing the game as quickly as possible. He struck five fours and two sixes in an unbeaten 51 from 45 balls to lead Derriaghy to the title – picking up Player of the Match in the process.
MATCH SUMMARY
Derriaghy CC v Cliftonville Academy CC, Arachas National Cup Final, Waringstown, 13 August 2023
Cliftonville Academy 155 (36.2 overs; V Chopra 35, M Burton 32; P Kruger 4-27)
Derriaghy 139-6 (28.3 overs; P Kruger 51*, M Halliday 41; B Kane 3-30)
Derriaghy won by 4 wickets

Leinster won the Bob Kerr Trophy for the second time after 14 years barren.
Leinster's total of 259 for 6 was due to Joey Carroll and Peter Francis after they slumped to 138 for 5. Warinstown dropped wickets in reply and it was left to Morgan Topping to make the challenge and at one stage the Lawn faithful appeared to be the winner, but Topping was out for a brilliant century and all their hopes vanished at the time.

MATCH SUMMARY
Waringstown CC v Leinster CC, Arachas Irish Senior Cup Final

Leinster 259-6 (50 overs; J Carroll 78, P Francis 74*; G Hume 2-35)
Waringstown 211 (45 overs; M Topping 110; P Francis 3-24, B Azhar 3-45)

Leinster won by 48 runs

Gallagher Challenge Cup Final – 4th August

Some fine batting and not so good bowling and fielding, highlighted the 2023 Senior Cup final as Waringstown beat Carrick by 34 runs. Spectators of both clubs had plenty to enjoy with 672 runs shared albeit the Villagers appeared to be in control after Carrick hit back. Man-of-the-Match Topping and Dennison were terrific and Van der Walt in reply just as lethal. With the benefit of hindsight Waringstown's skipper Thompson onslaught at the end of their innings was the difference between the teams at the end. His batting this season has been awesome and once again he played a crucial role in winning it.
Stormont proved to be an excellent venue but tough for the bowlers as the pitch gave nothing for either fast or slow bowlers.
We live in the era of batters these days!
Summary-
Waringstown 354-4 (A Dennison 109, P Botha 22, M Topping 150, G Thompson 39*, CJ Van der Walt 2-68)
Carrickfergus 318 (J Egan 87, CJ Van der Walt 97, B Cave 51, J Mitchell 2-62, B Snell 3-40, R Allen 2-45)
Waringstown beat Carrickfergus by 36 runs
Player of the Match: Morgan Topping (Waringstown)

Northern Knights crowned Rario Inter-Provincial T20 Trophy champions
The Northern Knights won their second-ever Inter-Provincial T20 Trophy after the final round of matches in the competition at Pembroke today.

Match 1: North West Warriors v Munster Reds
Alistair Frost’s blazing 83 from 39 balls (10 fours and four sixes) led the Reds to a 38-run win over the Warriors in the first game of the day.
Frost combined with Tyrone Kane (30) in a 95-run stand from 46 balls that took the Reds from a mediocre-looking score to a highly competitive total – and although six wickets fell in the last 26 balls, the Reds managed to eke out a further 29 runs to finish on 183-9.
The Warriors run chase stuttered early, losing Stephen Doheny for 3, and despite consecutive partnerships of 32 and 59 it was the Reds bowlers who always felt in control. As the run rate required surged to 12-an-over wickets tumbled. Graham Hume (27 from 15 balls) provided some late runs, but the North West side were 38 runs shy of the target at the end of their 20 overs.
MATCH SUMMARY
Reds 183-9 (20 overs; A Frost 83, T Kane 30; C young 4-26)
Warriors 145-9 (20 overs; L Doherty 33, J Wilson 33; B White 3-27)
Reds won by 38 runs

Match 2: Northern Knights v Leinster Lightning
Tim Tector scored an unbeaten 91 – a career best T20 score – as the Lightning finished their Rario Inter-Provincial Trophy campaign with a five-wicket victory over newly-crowned champions Northern Knights.
Having been set a target of 188, Tector and Lorcan Tucker scored 69 runs for the second wicket. And despite losing fellow partners Simi Singh and Mark Donegan cheaply, Tector and George Dockrell then proceeded to post 64 runs for the fifth wicket to almost guide the Lightning home.
It was finally left to Barry McCarthy to score the winning runs with a boundary off Mark Adair with nine balls to spare, with Tector finishing nine runs shy of a maiden T20 century. His score included 15 fours and one six.
Earlier, the Knights James McCollum and Neil Rock scored 62 runs for the fourth wicket. However, their lower-order let them down, only scoring 52 runs for the last 6.3 overs. Fionn Hand doing most of the damage for the Lightning, taking 3-32.
After the match the Knights captain Neil Rock collected the T20 Trophy from former Cricket Ireland President Aideen Rice in front of the Pembroke CC clubhouse.
MATCH SUMMARY
Knights 187-7 (20 overs; N Rock 47*, J McCollum 45; F Hand 3-32)
Lightning 191-5 (18.3 overs; T Tector 91*, G Dockrell 36; T Van Woerkom 1-19)
Lightning won by 5 wickets

Leinster Lightning and Northern Knights in big wins on first day of final T20 Festival

The third and last three-day Rario Inter-Provincial T20 Trophy Festival of 2023 opened with defending champions Leinster Lightning and Northern Knights having big wins over their respective opponents at Pembroke today.

Match 1: Leinster Lightning v Munster Reds
Leinster Lightning’s Tim Tector (64* off 37 balls) and Riley Mudford (54 off 22 balls) led the charge to victory, with the pair putting on a 69-run stand for the second wicket from just 30 balls. Player of the Match Mudford struck six maximums and three boundaries in his 22-minute knock, while Tector carried his bat, striking a 4, 4 and 6 off three of the last four balls he faced.
The Lightning chased down the 168-run target in 15.1 overs with six wickets to spare – however, the T20 defending champions are still rooted to the bottom of the table with two games to play after not winning a game from their first six fixtures (albeit three were rained off).
Earlier, the Reds’ Murray Commins (62 from 37 balls) and Alistair Frost (61* from 37 balls) gave the Munster side an energised start, before Simi Singh (4-18) took vital late wickets to limit the damage and ensure the home side was in with a chance. A chance that the Lightning duly took.
MATCH SUMMARY
Lightning v Reds, Inter-Provincial T20 Trophy, Pembroke CC, 1 August 2023
Reds 167-6 (20 overs; M Commins 62, A Frost 61*; S Singh 4-18)
Lightning 171-4 (15.1 overs; T Tector 64*, R Mudford 54; B White 2-31)
Lightning won by 6 wickets

Match 2: North West Warriors v Northern Knights
Table-toppers Northern Knights put on a powerhouse display with the ball in the second match of the day, demolishing the Warriors batting line-up, led by Player of the Match Matthew Humphreys who took 5-13.
The Warriors innings started poorly, losing a wicket on the fourth ball of the match with Liam Doherty having his leg stump knocked back by Tom Mayes. Circumstances did not improve from there, with only two batters registering double-figures – Jared Wilson with 29 and Graham Hume with 17. The Knights’ left-arm spinners, Humphreys and Theo van Woerkom, holding sway as the North West side was rolled for 78.
Humphreys’ figures were the equal second-best in List A T20 cricket in Ireland, while he was ably supported by van Woerkom who finished with 3-27.
In the chase, Paul Stirling and Ross Adair started with great intent to finish the game early, but on a slow pitch they struggled to find the boundary with regularity. At 28-0 nearing the end of the fifth over, the Knights still looked comfortable. However, up stepped Graham Hume (2-9) and Craig Young (2-20). The international bowling duo grabbed two wickets apiece in a three over spell – the Knights losing 4-10 and looking a little precarious at 38-4.
Sensing increasing nervousness in his team, the Knights’ stand-in skipper Neil Rock was determined to kill off the game quickly and hit five fours and a six in a late flurry as the Knights completed the run chase with seven overs to spare.
MATCH SUMMARY
Northern Knights v North West Warriors, Inter-Provincial T20 Trophy, Pembroke, 1 August 2023
Warriors 78 (15.1 overs; S Harbinson 45*, A Rosslee 45; L McCarthy 2-27)
Knights 81-5 (13 overs; N Rock 29*, P Stirling 19; G Hume 2-9)
Knights won by 5 wickets

T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier

Scotland beat Ireland by eight runs to protect their unbeaten record at the T20 World Cup qualifier. And in doing so, Scotland have moved above Ireland in the pecking order of world cricket, which will bitterly disappoint the Irish against their rivals of many years. It would be fair to say that Scotland have improved significantly in ODI and T20 cricket and at the same time, Ireland have been distracted with Test matches in the midst of shorter games. I question, is there any mileage in furthering Test cricket for Ireland as their status pales in comparison to virtually every other Test country?
As for the match in Edinburgh, Brandon McMullen hit 68 and Richie Berrington 54 murdered the Irish attack with only Mark Adair impressing. Posting 213 was challenging and as usual the Irish batsmen were confident. However, with six wickets down on 89 it was unlikely to beat them. But once again, Adair starred with a swashbuckling 72 which could have won an unlikely victory. Unfortunately, it was eight runs short.
Brad Currie was the home hero, removing Adair in the 19th over with excellent figures of 5-13.
Ireland achieved their main objective to Qualify, but in fairness the quality of the opposition was poor and the only real test was against the Scots.
As a footnote, Mark Adair is a genuine all-rounder with both bat and ball and perhaps merits a higher place in the pecking order!
Match Summary
Scotland: 213-6 (20 overs): McMullen 68, Berrington 54; McCarthy 2-42, White 2-45
Ireland: 205-9 (20 overs): Adair 72, Currie 5-13
Scotland win by eight runs

Arachas All-Ireland T20 Cup semi-final draws revealedThe draw for the semi-finals of the Arachas All-Ireland T20 Club Cup has been unveiled.

The Men’s competition features clubs from four provinces, North West Cricket Union (NWCU), Northern Cricket Union (NCU), Munster Cricket Union (MCU), and Cricket Leinster (CL), with the winners* of their respective provincial T20 competitions all moving on to the All-Ireland semi-finals
Leinster representatives Balbriggan won the LHK Group Alan Murray Cup for the first time, beating The Hills by 54 runs in the final, while Cork County were the winners of the MCU Premier T20 League.
The finals of both the NWCU and NCU are down for decision this weekend, with Killyclooney taking on Brigade at The Bleechgreen in the BW White Horse Hotel Faughan Valley Cup Final at 6pm on Monday 31 July, while 2022 All-Ireland Champions CIYMS take on Waringstown in the Lagan Valley Steels T20 Cup Final at 3pm at their home ground The Lawn on Sunday 30 July.
The Women’s competition features clubs from Cricket Leinster, the NWCU and NCU. CSNI – finalists in 2022, won the Gallagher Women’s T20, beating North Down in the final. They have been drawn to will meet the winners of the NWCU’s Women’s Senior Cup – between Bready and Fox Lodge, which is due to take place on Monday 31 July, at 6pm in Magheramason. The winners of that tie will meet either 2022 winners Merrion, or Pembroke in the All-Ireland Final. That match is due to take place on Monday 7 August.
The finals of both the Men’s and Women’s competitions will be held in Malahide Cricket Club on Sunday 27 August, with the Women’s final at 11am, followed by the Men’s final at 3pm.
Both games will be livestreamed by our broadcast partners, HBV Studios.
Arachas All-Ireland T20 Cup Semi-finals draw.
Men’s
CIYMS or Waringstown v Cork County
Killyclooney or Brigade v Balbriggan
Women’s
Bready or Fox Lodge v CSNI
Winners will face either Merrion or Pembroke in the final.
* If the NCU Final does not proceed this Sunday, a representative for the All-Ireland T20 Cup semi-finals will be determined by a coin toss

Ireland Men qualify for the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup

Ireland Men have qualified for the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup after today’s game against Germany was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain.
Having won their previous four matches, against Italy, Denmark, Austria, and Jersey, Ireland needed just one more point to mathematically ensure qualification. Due to today’s abandonment the points were shared, and Ireland’s passage to the USA and the West Indies next summer was secured.

Ireland still have one match left to play in the qualifying tournament, as they are set to face hosts Scotland in Grange Cricket Club tomorrow, Friday 28 July at 3.30pm. That game will decide who wins the tournament outright.

Paul Stirling, Ireland Men's captain, said:
"While it's true that we'd rather have achieved qualification on the field today, we're delighted to have achieved our primary objective of qualifying for next year's T20 World Cup. We came to Scotland with a clear plan and style of play we wanted to implement, and I think we delivered on that front.
"So, we'll celebrate job done this afternoon, but there is a trophy on the line tomorrow and we are keen to continue that winning momentum going into the India T20 series next month."

Ireland Men made it four wins from four games as they produced a dominant bowling display in a nine-wicket victory over Jersey in their ICC T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier at the Goldenacre Sports Ground.
After Ireland’s seam attack of Barry McCarthy, Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, and Josh Little had demolished the Jersey batting unit, the top-order took care of business, and comfortably reached their target inside eleven overs
Ireland made one change to yesterday’s team that beat Austria, as Andrew Balbirnie came back in to replace Ross Adair.
While chasing a modest 79 runs for victory Ireland got off to an excellent start, with nine runs off the first over, which included a well-executed punch through the off-side field for four by Balbirnie.
Balbirnie, showing renewed confidence with the bat, then struck back-to-back sixes followed by a cover drive for four as Ireland looked in cruise control, as they moved onto 29-0 after three overs. However, while trying his favoured sweep shot he succumbed to a slower ball from Benjamin Ward for 25.
Lorcan Tucker came in at three, and with a single first ball brought up 1,000 career T20I runs.
Ireland were never in any trouble in the chase, and it was only fitting that it was the skipper Stirling who finished the game off in style with a six towards mid-wicket.
Earlier in the day, and having been put in to bat, Jersey found life difficult from the very first ball, with just one of their batters reaching double figures.
Left-arm seamer Little claimed two wickets in his first over - Julius Sumerauer and Nick Greenwood both for the dreaded duck.
Harrison Carlyon (7), Jonty Jenner (7), and Ward (3) all fell as Jersey were in all sorts of trouble at 25-5 inside just seven overs.
Teenager Asa Tribe did play some quality shots, including knocking Little for six - their first of the match in the tenth over - and followed it up with a boundary as he moved onto 23 from 21 balls.
Josh Lawrenson then decided to target leg-spinner Ben White in the next over, but he fell to a comfortable catch by George Dockrell – who was making his 300th appearance for Ireland across all formats - in the deep.
The Tribe brothers Asa and Zak went in successive overs as Ireland eventually restricted Jersey to 78-9, with McCarthy taking an excellent 3-7 for his four overs.
Ireland will have a well deserved day off tomorrow before returning to the same venue to take on Germany at 10.30am Ireland time.
MATCH SUMMARY
Jersey 78-9 (20 overs; A Tribe 26, Z Tribe 8; B McCarthy 3-7)
Ireland 80-1 (10.2 overs; P Stirling 35*, A Balbirnie 25; B Ward 1-23)
Ireland won by 9 wickets