The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Kerry Firsts upset Limerick to reach Munster Cricket Senior Cup Final
Munster Division 1
THE Saturday fixture saw visitors Cork Harlequins trying unsuccessfully to improve their position of 5th on a table of six squads - while Kerry were trying to close the gap between themselves, currently second in the standings and table toppers County Limerick 2.
Harlequins never got in to top gear, but though they seemed unsteady at 126 for 5 at the end of the 26th over, Seanan Jones (41) and Joe Hourihane (51) provided some late order resistance to get to a total of 238. But Kerry Juniors are having a good season and though they lost Bilal for 16 when Alam Morshed and Owais Saghir joined forces they took complete control. A superbly constructed 81 from Alam to go with the three wickets he took in the Quins innings earlier - while Owais (who also took three wickets) finished on a brilliant 115 not out as Kerry romped to an 8 wicket victory with 7 overs to spare.
CORK Harlequins 2nds: 238 for 9 - Joe Hourihane 51; Seanan Jones 41; Owais Saghir 8-0-29-3; Alam Morshed 9-0-32-3 lost to Kerry 2nds: 242 for 2 - Owais Saghir 115 n.o.; Alam Morshed 81
Munster Senior Cup Semi-final
After Limerick’s recent victories and Kerry Seniors recent struggles - you’d have got very long odds on Kerry winning a place in the Munster Senior Cup-Final. But isn’t that the joy of sport? At home on Sunday, Limerick found themselves staring down the barrel at 87 for 6 in the 24th over. But Limericks recent successes have included some notable late order partnerships, this time it was Sarfraz Ramay (46) and Swaroop Burra (63) who put on a top quality partnership of 94 runs to help Limerick up to a defendable total of 205.
In reply, Khurram got Kerry off to a flyer. When the first wicket fell in the 9th over Kerry were already on 66 and in a position to avoid unnecessary risk-taking. When Khurram was run out Arslan Anwar added a fluent 45 before being judged lbw. But it was too little too late for Limerick. Azeem smacked a brisk 21 off 19 balls to see Kerry safely over the winning line and through to the Final of the Munster Senior Cup against Cork Harlequins at the Marydyke next Sunday.
LIMERICK 1sts: 205 all out (47.3 overs)Swaroop Burra 63; Sarfraz Ramay 46; Owais Saghir 9.3-2-37-4 lost to
KERRY 1sts: 209 for 4 (37.3 overs) Khurram Iqbal 66; Arslan Anwar 45; Farrukh Bhagat 7-0-39-2
Munster Division 2
Kerry 3rds had a brilliant season in 2017, but are struggling at the bottom of the table in 2018. They lost to Cork Harlequins 3rd squad on Sunday by 114 runs, the only silver lining for the Kingdom squad was that debutants Niyaz Khail and Usman Butt both took wickets. CORK Harlequins 3rds: 241 for 5 - Max Eagan 50; Manny Singh 50 beat
COUNTY Kerry 3rds: 127 all out - Niyaz 21 - John Russell 4 for 28; John Buss 3 for 28.
FIXTURES
Saturday, August 4
Munster Junior Cup Final
Kerry 2 v Cork Harlequins 2 in The Oyster Oval, Spa
Sunday, August 5
Munster Senior Cup Final
Kerry 1 v Cork Harlequins 1 in The Mardyke, Cork
Monday, August 6
Munster Premier League
County Galway 1 v County Kerry 1 in The Lydican, Galway