Lightning Win T20 Trophy After Singh Stars in 5-Wicket Victory

Simi Singh was the star of the show as the Leinster Lightning defeated the Northern Knights by 5-wickets on Thursday and in doing so regained the Test Triangle InterProvincial T20 Trophy.

Singh has been in fine form for the Lightning throughout the campaign but has been outshone by his colleagues, most notably Kevin O’Brien’s blistering 82 off 37 against he Warriors.

Today was all about the YMCA all-rounder however as he took 3-15 with the ball before striking an unbeaten 39 to see the Lightning home.

Having opted to bowl first, the Lightning were on the back foot as the Knights raced to 49/2 off the powerplay overs. In stepped Singh to rip through the visitors’ middle order.

In his first over he removed Harry Tector (24) before taking a sharp return catch to see the back of the ever-dangerous Mark Adair (1). In his next over, Gary Wilson was completely beaten in flight and Lorcan Tucker whipped the bails off, to leave the Knights 57/5 in no time.

There was some late order hitting out but two identical run outs, effected by Kevin O’Brien, off the last two balls of the innings meant the Knights were bowled out for 128 off their 20 overs.

Kevin O’Brien struck a breezy 19 off 10, while fellow opener Stephen Doheny made 12 off 11 as the Lightning made 48/2 off the powerplay overs. An almost identical score to the Knights, it was indication of how tight this game would be. Curtis Campher made a run-a-ball 12 before picking out deep square leg and Lorcan Tucker (20) was unable to anchor the innings as he had done on Tuesday against the Munster Reds.

Instead, it was to be Singh’s day as his unbeaten 39 off 34 was the crucial innings of the day. After 33 balls without a boundary, he used great footwork to create an angle through cover, followed by a huge six over long-on two balls later.