Leinster Lightning got their 2014 season underway at the weekend with a 50-over challenge match against a talented Ireland U-19 side in YMCA CC under mostly blue skies. A decent-sized crowd were treated to some high-quality cricket with the Lightning eventually running our victors by 110-runs victory.
It had been agreed in advance of the game that twelve players could take part, with eleven batting and any of the twelve being allowed to bowl. There was a last-minute change to the Lightning squad, an injured Andrew Poynter being replaced by Pembroke’s Theo Lawson the day before the game.
The Claremont Road club looked a picture in the sun and skipper John Mooney had no hesitation in batting first once the toss had been secured.
Some impressive bowling by the U-19 openers, Mark Adair and Rory Anders resulted in the initial scoring being slow-going for the Lightning’s first pair of Theo Lawson and Ben Ackland. Unfortunately for the U-19’s, neither bowler was able to make a breakthrough but ended their first six-over spell with credible figures of 0-10 and 0-23 respectively.
Ackland and Lawson had by then figured out the pace of the wicket and the scoring momentum increased steadily before coach Trent Johnston decided to utilise the opportunity to have a look at The Hills’ Cormac McLoughlin playing in his first match for the Lightning and retired Ackland on 47. This was soon followed by the retirement of Theo Lawson for an excellent 53 who was replaced by John Anderson. Unfortunately McLoughlin was out early to the impressive spin bowling of Coleraine’s Rishi Chopra which was followed by a solid 29 from Tyrone Kane at better than a run a ball before he became Chopra’s second victim, out to a sharp return catch by the bowler.
Runs were now flowing freely for the Lightning’s batsmen with the skipper Mooney (23) and Barry McCarthy (26*), who replaced the retired Anderson (39*) midway through the final ten overs, pushed the team past 250 and set the U-19’s an imposing 255 runs for victory.
In reply, the U-19’s innings never really got going in the face of some controlled inswing from debutant Bilal Azhar who struck the first blow, removing the skipper Jack Tector for 6 in the 10th over. All of the Lightning bowlers bowled solidly and the wickets were shared around with John Anderson (3-11), Azhar (2-19) and Barry McCarthy particularly good.
Special mention must got to Sonny Cott (26) and Lorcan Tucker (32) both of whom displayed an array of impressive shot-making. The U-19’s batted with heart and did well to take the match into the 41st over. Their batsmen (and indeed the entire team) will no doubt have learnt an enormous amount and we wish them all the best for the future.
Leinster Lightning (254/3): T. Lawson (53 retired); B. Ackland (47 retired); J. Anderson (39 retired) / R. Chopra (2-46); R. Anders (1-35)
Ireland U-19’s (144 all out): L. Tucker (32); S. Cott (26) / J. Anderson (3-11); B. Azhar (2-19); B. McCarthy (2-20)
The Lightning would like to express our thanks to all involved in making this fixture possible. Special mention to the YMCA CC President, Heatley Tector and YMCA’s David Cooke who’s positivity and enthusiasm for hosting the match was a joy.
We’re only two weeks away now from the start of the 2014 Inter-Provincial series. We get underway on the 3rd of May with a 50-over match against the North-West Warriors in The Hills. There is no charge in and if the corresponding opening fixture in the same venue last year is anything to go by, an enjoyable day will be had by all.
The selectors will be announcing our playing squad for 2014 in the next seven days so watch this space.