WEATHER THE WINNER IN FRUSTRATING DAY AT PEMBROKE

The Leinster Lightning’s efforts to bounce back from last Sunday’s defeat to the Knights against the Munster Reds were stymied by the weather on a frustrating day at Pembroke on Thursday.

Huge credit must go to GM By Choice and the combined Pembroke and Cricket Leinster ground staff for ensuring any play was possible despite the adverse weather conditions for much of the day.

Having been forced to wait almost five hours to get underway, captain George Dockrell opted to bowl first when play finally got underway in a 23-over a side contest.

Yet again both opening bowlers took wickets as Barry McCarthy (2-18) and Josh Little (2-26) reduced the visitors to 11/2 in the third over.

David O’Halloran continued his good form with the ball and when he tempted Commins (9) into a mistimed shot that Dockrell held at mid-wicket the Lightning were in the ascendency at 41/3.

Former Lightning player Tyrone Kane counter-attacked with an almost run-a-ball 31 before falling to a sharp caught and bowled by Simi Singh, who also took a tremendous catch at deep point to dismiss Seamus Lynch.

Another former Lightning player (and current Cricket Leinster Accountant!), Matt Ford, added a quick fire 45 not out as the Munster Reds posted 147/6 off their 23 overs.

Openers Jack Tector (24) and Kevin O’Brien (38*) wasted little time in getting on with chasing down the target. O’Brien hitting almost identical sixes over long-on and out of the ground, while Tector had smoked the third ball of the innings square for a maximum.

Alas with the foundations set for a successful run chase the rain intervened. Firstly, to get a new target of 131 in 20 overs before a final heavy cloudburst put paid to everyone’s efforts to get a result at the end of the day in Pembroke.

With the match abandoned the two sides meet again on Saturday and the Lightning go into Saturday’s reverse fixture with an unchanged squad.

The Leinster Lightning’s next match in the InterProvincial 50-over Cup is the reverse fixture against the Munster Reds which takes place on this Saturday 22nd May also at Pembroke CC (Sydney Parade).

Coverage via @cricketleinster on Twitter and live stream details to follow on the day.

Interprovincial 50-Over Cup
Pembroke CC, Dublin
Leinster Lightning v Munster Reds, Thursday May 20th
23-over Match

Munster Reds 147/6 23 Overs (M Ford 45*, T Kane 31; B McCarthy 2-18, J Little 2-26)

Revised target 131 in 20 overs
Leinster Lightning 69/1 9.5 Overs (K O’Brien 38*, J Tector 24)

Match Abandoned