The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)

A hectic weekend at the Oyster Oval

- CRICKET Mick Jones

THE Oyster Oval hosted four T20 matches over Saturday and Sunday. And despite heavy rain, which affected both morning matches, four results were produced, two good and two not so good for the home club.

Saturday AM, Kerry 4 v Limerick 4

KERRY won the toss and put the visitors into bat in weather conditions perfect for swing bowling.

Neverthele­ss, Umair Akbar thrived, his 43 n.o. leading his side to an impressive 129 for 4. After 6 overs of the Kerry innings the rain decisively stopped play. For once, Kerry had the rub of the green; although they struggled early on, Sohaib had managed to keep the score moving steadily – his six over mid-wicket was just enough to get Kerry on the right side of the

DLS calculatio­ns, those infamous formulae used to decide winners in matches which end prematurel­y.

Limerick 4ths: 129 for 4 in 20 overs, (Umair Akbar 43 Abin Matther 2-15)

lost (DLS) to Co Kerry 4ths: 35 for 1 in 6 overs. (Sohaib Chohan 26 n.o.)

Saturday PM, Kerry 2 v Limerick 2

BATTING first, Limerick started cautiously in over-cast conditions.

The low run rate suggested Kerry bowlers had control, indeed, when Sean Rutland bowled Nitesh to break the first partnershi­p at the end of the 7th over, Kerry were probably happy enough; Limerick only had 31 on the board.

But with wickets in hand, Swaroop led the way with a classy 44 and with good support from Usman (38 n.o) and Nitesh(29) Limerick finished on a highly competitiv­e 153 for 6. Kerry hadn’t helped themselves in the field, spilling too many catches to be competitiv­e.

In reply, the Kerry chase started with all guns blazing, but lost wickets too quickly. They were well ahead on run rate up till the 7th over, but with three wickets down, they were soon relying on the less experience­d batters to get them out of trouble. Unsurprisi­ngly, that didn’t happen.

Limerick 2nds: 153 for 6, beat Kerry 2nds: 122 for 9, by 31 runs.

Sunday AM, Limerick Blasters 2 v Kerry 3

AFTER a series of delays, this T20 was reduced to a T15. More a battle with the weather than a battle between the sides, the scorebook reveals that it was a close, if low-scoring contest. Defending a modest target of 80, Blasters bowlers kept the run-rate in check; Kerry found themselves scrambling desperatel­y for runs… and getting run-out too often.

Limerick Blasters 2nds 80a.o. beat Kerry 3rds: 78a.o. by 2 runs.

Sunday PM, Kerry 1 v Limerick 1

KERRY Senior squad chose to bat first, and the change of tactic proved successful.

After losing 2 early wickets Bilal Ahmed (52) and Josh Uddin (67) put on 107 for the third wicket. Limerick bowled superbly in the death overs to keep Kerry in control, but the home squad still managed to post 145 for 7; a daunting chase in overcast conditions.

Limerick got off to a reasonable start with 49 for 2 on the board after 6 overs, but from there only Swaroop managed to settle and his 40 was simply not enough; with his dismissal, and the run-rate required climbing, the outcome of the match was more or less settled. Khurram was the standout bowler for Kerry, finishing with 4 for 13 off 3 overs.

Kerry 1sts: 145 for 7, beat Limerick 1sts 96a.o.

 ??  ?? Athletes, from left, Liam Meade of Templemore AC, Tipperary, Dion Marcos of An Ríocht AC, Kerry, and Michael Deady of Menapians AC, Wexford, competing in the Senior Mens 100m event during the Summer Games Athletics Meet at Moyne AC in Tipperary Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Athletes, from left, Liam Meade of Templemore AC, Tipperary, Dion Marcos of An Ríocht AC, Kerry, and Michael Deady of Menapians AC, Wexford, competing in the Senior Mens 100m event during the Summer Games Athletics Meet at Moyne AC in Tipperary Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

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