LEINSTER LIGHTNING STRIKES OVER MUNSTER IN IP20 (7.8.2024)

It was a return to normal service for the Sherwin O’Riordan sponsored Leinster Lightning as their almost full strength sidedefeated Munster on their home turf to close in on another well-deserved IP20 title.

Leinster Lightning has previously won the IP20 competition in 7 out of the 10 years since the IPs were reinstated in 2013 (alongside 8 IP50 titles over the same period).

Having lost the toss, Leinster Lightning put in a solid batting performance at the Mardyke and in doing so set Munster 197 to win at almost 10 runs per over.

The primary contributions with the bat came from captain George Dockrell (41 off 25), opener Andy Balbirnie with 33, fellow Pembroke man Lorcan Tucker with 31 off just 19 balls and finally a tail which wagged as Gavin Hoey and John McNally combined to add an unbeaten 33 off the last 12 balls.

The Munster chase struggled against some quality bowling from the experienced Lightning attack and were reduced to 42-5 off the first 7 overs with a brace for Hoey and one apiece for Barry McCarthy, Fionn Hand and Sam Harbinson. PJ Moor and Gareth Delany both back in the pavilion.

Munster opener Brandon Kruger became the sixth man out for a well-made 33 off 29 balls with the score on 61. Liam McCarthy followed soon after to give Harbinson his third wicket with Munster struggling on 75-7 after 12 overs.

The late order for Munster fought on to add some respectability to the team total as they tamely batted out the final overs of the innings. In all, Leinster used seven bowlers, six of whom got wickets in a fine all round performance.

MATCH SUMMARY

Leinster Lightning 196-8 off 20 (George Dockrell 41, Andrew Balbirnie 33, Lorcan Tucker 31)

Munster Reds 121 All Out off 20 overs (Brandon Kruger 33; Sam Harbinson 3-24, Gavin Hoey 2-17)   

Leinster Lightning won by 75 runs.