Cricketers lose to Limerick in thriller

KERRY Seconds travelled to Adare for a Munster Division 1 fixture against Limerick Seconds. Bilal and Alam Morshed opened the batting for Kerry and put on 34 before Alam was run out on 18, a brisk cameo which included three 4s.

Azeem, batting at three, dominated a fine partnership with Bilal (41) as he hit 52 of 63 balls including three 4s and five 6s. But it was Gavin Devereux, bowling for Limerick, who turned things round, picking up the prize wickets of Bilal and Azeem. From there, only Usman Khan (50) including six 4s and two 6s made a significant contribution to the Kerry total. For Limerick, Devereux, Sultan and Sidiqui all picked up 2 wickets each as they bowled out the visitors for 205 in the 40th over.

Hashir Sultan returned the best figures (2 for 32 off nine overs) and had Usman, always dangerous with bat in hand, caught by Limerick captain Chris McGrath. At the half way stage, the match was already an even contest between bat and ball.

It was Sufyan and Abishek who were the main contributors to the Limerick reply, joint top scoring with 43 each, but arguably, Mortaza Sidiqui’s 31 off only 26 balls was the decisive contribution; including a 6 and five 4s. His rapid scoring gave Limerick the momentum to scramble past their target with just nine balls to spare.

Azeem (5 for 45 off 9 overs)was the stand-out bowler for Kerry.

This was an excellent match fought out in great spirit with quality bowling and batting from both sides, but the extras column on the scorecard may give the Kerry bowlers some pause for thought. Limerick conceded 21, adding to the Kerry total, whilst Kerry bowlers gifted 28 to the Limerick score; tight contests often hinge on such details.