LIGHTNING SQUAD CONFIRMED FOR FINAL IP FIXTURES AT OAK HILL
The Sherwin O’Riordan sponsored Leinster Lightning face off against the Northern Knights next week in a final back-to-back IP20 and IP50 double header of matches at Oak Hill, with Head Coach Andre Botha confirming his squad for the two fixtures today.
Tuesday 10th September: Leinster Lightning vs Northern Knights (IP20, 3.00pm, Oak Hill)
Wednesday 11th September: Leinster Lightning vs Northern Knights (IP50, 10.45am, Oak Hill)
Leinster Lightning has already won the IP20 title for 2024 (making it 8 times in 12 years). In fact, the team goes into this fixture unbeaten and with an expectation of lifting the trophy at Oak Hill as IP20 Champions for 2024 (see table below):
| IP20 TABLE (AS AT 5.9.2024) | |||||
| TEAM | PLAYED | WON | BON PTS | TOTAL | NRR |
| Leinster Lightning | 8 | 7 | 4 | 34 | +2.59 |
| Northern Knights | 8 | 4 | 3 | 21 | +1.39 |
| Munster Reds | 9 | 2 | 1 | 11 | -2.14 |
| North West Warriors | 9 | 2 | 1 | 11 | -2.06 |
Having completed two recent comprehensive wins in The Mardyke and at Sydney Parade. Andre Botha will be hoping that the Lightning can sustain this recent form in the final encounter against the Northern Knights when only a bonus point win will provide them with a chance of an IP double this year.
As can be seen from the IP50 table below, the Northern Knights are in pole position to leave Oak Hill with the IP50 trophy as they hold a 5-point advantage and a superior net run-rate:
| IP50 TABLE (AS AT 5.9.2024) | |||||
| TEAM | PLAYED | WON | BON PTS | TOTAL | NRR |
| Northern Knights | 5 | 3 | 3 | 17 | +1.79 |
| Munster Reds | 6 | 3 | 1 | 13 | -0.53 |
| Leinster Lightning | 5 | 2 | 2 | 12 | +0.34 |
| North West Warriors | 6 | 1 | 1 | 9 | -0.99 |
As Head Coach, Botha has had some selection challenges especially in the seam bowling department with many of the regulars this season unavailable for a variety of reasons – this includes Reuben Wilson (Clontarf) and Olly Riley (Pembroke) who are both away with the Ireland U19s, Barry McCarthy (Pembroke) who is still recovering from injury, Jai Moondra (Leinster) who has a foot injury and Byron McDonough (Pembroke) due to work commitments. In addition, John McNally (Clontarf) is only available for the T20 fixture on Tuesday 10th.
All of the above results in a debut for Merrion seamer Melvin Deveraj who has performed well for his club since arriving at Anglesea Road this season. He has already taken 28 wickets at just 12.93 apiece for Merrion First team with a best of 5-32.
Andrew Balbirnie will play in the 50-Over fixture only on the Wednesday with that trophy still to be decided.
SHERWIN O’RIORDAN LEINSTER LIGHTNING T20 SQUAD (TUESDAY 10TH)
George Dockrell (Phoenix), Captain
Tim Tector (Pembroke)
Chris DeFreitas (Balbriggan)
Harry Tector (Pembroke
Lorcan Tucker (Pembroke)
Sam Harbinson (Merrion)
Fionn Hand (Clontarf)
Gavin Hoey (Pembroke)
Séamus Lynch (Terenure)
John McNally (Clontarf)
Melvin Deveraj (Merrion)
Dylan Lues (Balbriggan, 12th)
SHERWIN O’RIORDAN LEINSTER LIGHTNING 50-OVER SQUAD (WEDNESDAY 11TH)
George Dockrell (Phoenix), Captain
Tim Tector (Pembroke)
Andrew Balbirnie (Pembroke)
Harry Tector (Pembroke)
Chris DeFreitas (Balbriggan)
Lorcan Tucker (Pembroke)
Sam Harbinson (Merrion)
Fionn Hand (Clontarf)
Gavin Hoey (Pembroke)
Dylan Lues (Balbriggan)
Melvin Deveraj (Merrion)
Séamus Lynch (Terenure, 12th)
Our thanks to Sherwin O'Riordan Solicitors for their ongoing support of Leinster Lightning & Bolts.