Venue: Richard Beamish Cricket Grounds, The Mardyke, Cork
Date: 21/22 July 2026
Toss: Emerging Warriors (elected to bowl)
Result: Match Drawn
First Innings: Munster Heat 225 All Out
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, the Emerging Warriors made early inroads into the Munster Heat top order. Josh Wilson led the attack with precision, taking 4 for 48, including the early wickets of Awais Saghir (4) and Dineth Sumanasinghe (7) to leave the hosts at 26/2.
Munster Heat captain Thorne Prophet rebuilt the innings, scoring a patient 56 off 81 balls (7 fours, 1 six) before falling to S Haslett (2/51). Ayan Ullah provided middle-order resistance, compiling 52 off 81 deliveries. Despite contributions from the middle order, regular strikes from Wilson, Haslett, Hassan Shahid (1/10 off 10 overs), and Scott Macbeth (1/29) kept the scoring in check. M Robinson wrapped up the innings, removing Mark Donnelly (13) to dismiss Munster Heat for 225 in 59.5 overs.
First Innings: Emerging Warriors 411/8 dec
In response, the Emerging Warriors mounted a solid batting display. Opening batter Hassan Shahid scored 46, partnering with J Smallwoods (45) to set a solid foundation.
The main impetus of the innings came from Luke Marillier, who delivered a standout performance. Marillier scored an unbeaten 167 off 143 balls, featuring 10 fours and 9 sixes. He shared a dynamic 105-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Scott Macbeth, who struck a rapid 63 off 61 balls (including 4 sixes). S Haslett added 31 to further extend the lead.
For Munster Heat, young spinner Mark Donnelly was the most successful bowler, taking an impressive 4 for 71, while Usman Sherzad, Zaki Khalid, and Seneth Sumanasinghe claimed a wicket apiece. Emerging Warriors declared their first innings at 411/8 after 79 overs, holding a 186-run lead.
Second Innings: Munster Heat 121/1
Facing a significant deficit, Munster Heat showed resolute application in their second turn at the crease to impose themselves on the Emerging Warriors bowlers. Openers Awais Saghir and Sunil Gautam put on a significant 94-run partnership for the first wicket to neutralize the opposition bowling attack.
A Saghir played fluently for his 64 off 93 balls (8 fours, 3 sixes) before being caught off the bowling of Hassan Shahid (1/7). Sunil Gautam remained steadfast at the other end, finishing unbeaten on 31 off 119 balls. Captain Thorne Prophet (11*) joined Gautam to see out the remainder of the overs, reaching 121/1 in 39 overs before play concluded in a draw.
Match Summary
- Munster Heat 1st Innings: 225 all out in 59.5 overs (T Prophet 56, Ayan Ullah 52; Josh Wilson 4/48)
- Emerging Warriors 1st Innings: 411/8 dec in 79.0 overs (Luke Marillier 167*, Scott Macbeth 63; M Donnelly 4/71)
- Munster Heat 2nd Innings: 121/1 in 39.0 overs (A Saghir 64, S Gautam 31*; Hassan Shahid 1/7)
Coach’s summary: “I was really impressed with the application and resolve shown by our young Heat squad up against a quality Emerging Warriors side. There is immense value in the two day format, as it allows our youth players the opportunity to express themselves with both bat and ball in the longer format of the game.
Our fielding in particular has improved, and that means we are able to impose ourselves more and create opportunities with the ball. Whilst the improvement is tangible, there is still a lot of work to be done to get it to the required standard.
In terms of individual performances, the half centuries by young Ayan Ullah, Skipper Thorne Prophet and Awais Saghir, as well as the solid 31 by opener Sunil Gautam whilst under pressure shows the quality our batters are developing. And with the ball, it’s hard to go past the 4 wickets by spinner Mark Donnelly, who has the potential to be a real match winner.
Overall, a draw was a great outcome for our young team, it was a good solid performance and sets us up nicely for the matches to come.”
-Jeremy Bray, Head Coach Munster Heat
Scorecard: https://cricketireland.ie/domestic-matches/?tab=m_scorecard#m47138258-c09b-4d89-be6f-15254990483a
