Kerry progress to quarter-finals of Irish National Cup

IS June the new November? If so, it seems to suit the Kerry Cricket Club’s players as they picked up two more victories in horrible weather conditions at the Oyster Oval this weekend. Sundays match was an opportunity for the visitors from North Kildare to take revenge.

Last year Kerry knocked them out of the Irish National Cup at exactly the same stage in the tournament, so while the visitors were very pleased to see the superb location of Kerry’s increasingly famous new pitch this time round, they were more focussed on settling a particular grudge.

On Sunday, rain interrupted play early in the Kerry innings, so after a frustrating period when it looked as though the umpires might abandon play for the day, conditions eased and the 40 over a side match was reduced to 27 overs each. Although Ahmed fell early, Azeem Khan hit a brutal 59 including six sixes and three fours, regularly sending a search party to rescue the ball from the field of bullocks next door.

And though Alam Morshed and Qasim Mohammad went cheaply, Shani Alam (52 n.o.) and Khuram Khan (58 n.o.) combined in a whirlwind century partnership remaining undefeated when the innings closed on 214. That set Kildare the task of chasing at nearly 8 runs per over, a formidable task in any conditions.

Kildare were not going down without a fight, wicket-keeper Josh Uddin (former Kerry player/coach), batting at no.3 looked on course to take revenge for the visitors, hitting a four and a towering six - before misjudging a short ball from Owais Bacha, skying it towards the safe hand of Kashif Khan who took an excellent catch running in from fine leg. Paul Ryan (21) also looked in commanding form, and well capable of getting North Kildare home, but fell to a brilliant diving catch at mid-on; the pattern was set. Kildare put up a serious fight, but couldn’t build partnerships to provide a base to secure their target.

Sean Dalton (14) also looked dangerous late in the order putting the ball into Tralee Bay with one of his two 6s, but before he could do too much damage, he was brilliantly run out by Awais Saghir, who hit the stumps directly, throwing from the boundary rope Shani Alam picked up 4 for 42 to complete an outstanding all-round performance and Owaid Bacha took 4 for 46.

DL calculations came into effect because of the reduction in overs and though Kildare scored 132 before being bowled out in 19 overs Kerry won by 78 runs and go through to the Quarter Finals of the Irish National Cup.

On Saturday, Kerry 2nds beat Limerick 2nds by 6 wickets. Limerick 219 (44.3 overs) - Kerry 221 for 4 wickets. (42.5 overs).

This Munster Division 1 match at ‘The Oyster’ was a highly competitive match played in uncomfortable weather. And although the Kerry 2nds’ fielding was untidy on Saturday, Mohsin picked up 3-18 and Sajid 3-22. Sufyan put another 50 together for Limerick before being bowled by Shazeeb and Shane Burke hit four 4s and four 6s in his breezy 48.

In the Kerry reply Owais acted as anchor-man with a high quality 64, but Junaid stole the show finishing on 83 not out including six 4’s and three 6s. Best of the Limerick bowlers, Singh finished with 3 - 50 bowling all but one ball of his allotted 9 overs. The win secures valuable points for Kerry 2nd squad in Munster Division 1.

FIXTURES Sunday, June 18

Kerry 3 v Midleton 3 in Oyster Oval

Senior T20 Tournament Round 1: Galway-Limerick-Kerry in Adare