Match Report: United Cricket Clonmel 1st XI vs Limerick Blasters CC 2nd XI at Croker’s Oval, Ballyneety
Date: 8 September 2024
In a thrilling encounter at Croker’s Oval, United Cricket Clonmel 1st XI triumphed over Limerick Blasters CC 2nd XI by a slender margin of 12 runs in the MCU Division 2 A One Day match. This victory was marked by significant contributions from both teams, but ultimately it was the impressive performance of Vijeth Prabhakar and Shoaib Khan that helped Clonmel secure the win.
First Innings: United Cricket Clonmel 1st XI
Batting first, United Cricket Clonmel posted a competitive total of 204 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 40 overs. The innings was built around a solid contributions Prabhakar and Ahmad Hassan Qamar, who built a crucial partnership to stabilise their side at various points.
Prabhakar’s innings was instrumental as he scored a vital 60 unbeaten runs, showcasing great technique while tackling the Limerick Blasters’ bowlers. Qamar also made headlines, contributing a quickfire 44 runs, including three boundaries and three sixes that lifted the team’s momentum towards the end of their innings.
The excellent effort from David Philip (2/40) and Varughese (2/54) helped Limerick Blasters contain the scoring to some extent, but Clonmel’s aggressive approach proved too effective, allowing them to finish with a total of 204.
Second Innings: Limerick Blasters CC 2nd XI
Chasing a target of 205, Limerick Blasters started well but struggled to maintain their momentum against a disciplined bowling attack. Early wickets fell due to tight bowling from Shoaib Khan, who removed Arunraj Thalappilly and Shiju Chacko in quick succession. Binil Joy added a solid 42 before being bowled.
Resistance came from Arun Mohan, who anchored the innings with a commendable 45 runs before falling to Philip Samson Francis. Yet, as wickets continued to tumble, the Limerick Blasters began to lose their grip on the chase.
At 187/8, the match was hanging in the balance when Babar Ali entered the scene with an impressive spell, claiming two wickets for just 20 runs and providing crucial breakthroughs that ultimately tilted the match in Clonmel’s favor.
Match Highlights:
- Babar Ali: 2 wickets for 20 runs; key performer in Limerick’s innings collapse.
- Shoaib Khan: Remarkable bowling performance, bagged 3 wickets for 36 runs, crucial in dismantling the top order.
- Prabhakar: Top scorer for Clonmel with 60 runs, a vital innings in building their total.
- Qamar: Added quick runs with 47, setting a strategic platform for a challenging total.
Match Report: MCU Division 2 A – Cork County CC 3rd XI vs Limerick CC 3rd XI
Date: 8 September 2024
Venue: The Mardyke, Cork
Result: Limerick CC 3rd XI won by 4 wickets
In an electrifying encounter at The Mardyke, Cork, Limerick CC 3rd XI secured a thrilling four-wicket victory over Cork County CC 3rd XI, chasing down a respectable target of 220 runs set by Cork in their innings. This result keeps Limerick’s aspirations for the season alive as we approach the final weeks of the competition.
Cork County CC Innings
Cork County started their innings solidly and did not lose a wicket until 84 runs were on the board. but faced a disappointing collapse as they were restricted to 219 runs, losing their final wicket in the 38th over. The star performer for Cork County was Pratheek Chappanda, who led the charge with a brisk 50 runs off just 37 balls, including 5 fours and 2 sixes. However, his dismissal by Mohit Malik marked the beginning of a downward spiral for Cork, as wickets tumbled at regular intervals, despite top and middle order contributions from Girish Khot (27) and Rahul Sethi (30). The last 4 batters only managed to contribute 16 runs between them, as the innings came to an early close after 38 overs.
Limerick’s bowling attack proved difficult to negotiate, taking critical wickets throughout the innings, with Darshan Dwarakanath, Mohit Malik and Muhammad Ammar Alam Shah claiming two scalps each.
Limerick CC Innings
Chasing a target of 220, Limerick CC 3rd XI began their innings in almost immediate turmoil. The first wicket fell in the third over, with just 13 runs on the board. 13-1 became 13-2, then 34-3 in the seventh over. Vinaykumar Nagaraju added a stubborn 40 before being bowled by youth player Mark Donnelly.
It was the middle order that turned the game in Limerick’s favour, led by a brilliant unbeaten 84 by Waqas Mehmood, at better than a run a ball. He was ably supported by Prajapati and Jeevankrishna, and Mohit Malik was there at the end with Waqas to secure the victory in the 37th over.
MCU Division 3 B One Day 40 Overs • 7 September 2024
Castlelands Cricket Ground, Lismore
Lismore CC 1st XI 331 Clare CC 3rd XI135
Result: Lismore CC 1st XI won by 196 runs
Clare 3rd XI made the trip to Lismore CC for their scheduled 40 over match on Saturday. The visitors won the toss, and promptly put the home side in to bat. Opener Manu Babu was the first to go after a solid 28. 62-1 in the 8th over. Unfortunately for Clare, his departure brought Guna Nanjappa to the crease, who proved to be the perfect foil for the dynamic Miguel Carolino, who clubbed a magnificent 122, peppered with eight boundaries and twelve sixes. The partnership yielded 127 runs before Nanjappa was caught off the bowling of Adeel Mukhtar for 73. At 189-2, the platform for a big innings was set.
The second half of the Lismore innings tailed off, however, as a procession of single-figure scores rewarded the endeavours of the Clare bowling unit. Only evergreen Nat Simcox provided any real resistance in the lower order, standing resolutely with an unbeaten 18. The Lismore innings closed on a daunting 331, with just one ball of the allotted 40 overs left.
For the visitors, Ahsan Khan Jadoon was the standout bowler, with the impressive figures of 4-41 off 6 overs. Adeel Mukhtar and Daniyal Shams took 2 wickets apiece. 45 extras meant that the fourth top scorer for Lismore was Sundries.
After the break, Clare set about chasing down 332 for victory. They made a steady start, reaching 23 before Daniyal Shams became the first man to fall, 23-1, caught at extra cover by sub fielder Dan Dixon. 3 more quick wickets proved to be a real setback, as Clare sought to stabilise the innings. The arrival of Pritpal Singh Sahota to the crease provided a reprieve, as he crafted an excellent 28*. Sahota and Zari Waraich (24) put together an excellent partnership, but when Waraich fell, the Lismore attack ran through the Clare tail, precipitated by the rare feat of a hat-trick to Manu Babu. 7-125, 8-125, 9-125. Simcox loitered at second slip, having placed himself there for the hat trick ball, and gleefully pouched the resultant sharp edge, effectively ended the match as a contest. The visitors were all out in the 29th over, the winning margin being 196 runs.
Lismore bowling statistics: A creditable hat-trick to Manu. 2-0-12-3.
Michael Talbot 5-2-3-1 Ed Note: Michael’s statistics in this match are just mad. 5 overs, 3 runs conceded, 1 wicket. He went for 0.6 runs per over. I’ve played against him on a number of occasions, and I attribute his success to skill, tactical awareness, and bright pink shoes. It’s very distracting to the batsman.
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