CRICKET:PETER SAVILL'S stunning new cricketing field of dreams opened in Wicklow yesterday as an Ireland XI took on a Lashings World XI in two Twenty20 clashes at Oak Hill Cricket Club in Kilbride.
In the end the spoils were shared, but the big winner on the day was the game, as a venue to rival any in the country was unveiled in spectacular fashion. Over 500 runs were scored over the two games on a ground which was a credit to groundsmen Colin Dines and Seán Stanley.
Ireland's World Cup captain Trent Johnston didn't hold back in his praise for the ground. "The wicket was being played on for the first time, but it's the best I've played on in Ireland," said Johnston, who captained the Ireland XI to victory in the first game.
He was nearly scuppered by Ireland coach Phil Simmons, who showed his charges he has lost none of the shots that made him one of the most stylish batsmen to play the game.
Guesting for the Lashings World XI, the big West Indian scored the first half-century on the ground, hitting four fours and two maximums in just 37 balls as the visiting side made 126 off their 20 overs.
North County's Reinhardt Strydom proved the star as the home team took victory off the third last ball, the big-hitting left-hander finishing unbeaten on 71 off 58 balls, with two fours and four sixes. Clontarf's Andrew Poynter got in on the act, finishing on 30 not out as the pair put on 85 to wrap up the win.
Lashings were to gain their revenge against a more experienced Ireland XI in the second match, thanks in the main to a stunning century from India's Dinesh Mongia. He brought up his 50 off just 29 balls, before taking just 27 to bring up the first century scored on the ground. He hit ten boundaries and five sixes in his ton and finally went trying to clear the rope for the eighth time, caught by Alex Cusack for 113 off the bowling of Connell.
Set a target of 185, the Ireland XI top order failed to fire and five wickets were down with the score on 66. Some late-order hitting from Poynter (25), Andrew Balbirnie (26) and an unbeaten 28 from Fintan McAllister got Ireland over the 150 mark.
"It's been wonderful to see some really great cricketers here. It was a bit touch and go in the morning but the weather came good. It's been very rewarding to see people enjoy themselves and to be so overwhelmed by what we have done here," said Savill.
