Match Preview: Leinster Lightning vs Munster Reds
Venue: Oak Hill CC
Date: Wednesday 7th May
Time: 10.45am
The stage is set at Oak Hill Cricket Club as the highly anticipated Inter-Provincial 50-over campaign gets underway with Leinster Lightning taking on the Munster Reds. With both sides eyeing early momentum, this fixture promises to be a compelling contest and an important early-season benchmark for players across the board.
Munster Reds come into the match with a dynamic blend of youth and experience. Head Coach Jeremy Bray is upbeat about the squad’s prospects, highlighting the strength of their batting unit, which he believes is the most solid it has been in recent years.
“I’m extremely excited for the season ahead and our first game vs Leinster Lightning in Oakhill” said Jeremy. “We have a really nice blend of experience and youth with our batting line-up being the strongest it has in a few years. Unfortunately Curtis, our new captain will be missing which obviously is a big loss, but Gareth Delany will be stepping into the Captaincy role which I have no doubt he will thrive in.”
Skipper Gareth Delany echoed Jeremy’s thoughts: “It’s a new look Reds team this year with the addition of some young and exciting players as well as the return of Stephen Doheny who’ll boost our batting ranks. Curtis, who’s captaining the side this season is absent for the start of our campaign which is a big loss but will give an opportunity for the rest of the squad to take on some more responsibility to fill the gap that he leaves. It’ll be a tough first test as always against the Lightning but hopefully we can put in a strong performance and get our season off to a good start.”
The Munster Reds squad features promising names such as Stephen Doheny, Kian Hilton behind the stumps, and pace and spin options in Josh Manley, Suliman Safi, and Swapnil Modgil. With talents like Liam McCarthy and Philippe le Roux in the mix, the Reds will look to make a strong statement.
All eyes are on Oak Hill as two strong lineups take the field—this is more than just the season opener, it’s a signal of intent.
Full squad:
DELANY Gareth *
DOHENY Stephen
HILTON Kian †
KRUGER Brandon
LE ROUX Philippe
MANLEY Josh
McCARTHY Liam
McDONOUGH Byron
McNALLY John
MODGIL Swapnil
SAFI Suliman
WELDON Matthew
WHITE Ben
