CRICKET IRELAND v HAMPSHIRE AND CLUB NEWS:Although the weather was fine, the rain of the previous few days had left the outfield boggy, particularly on the pavilion side of the ground, with umpires Michael Gough and Vanburn Holder making the call at 3pm after consulting the two captains.
IRELAND’S FRIENDS Provident Trophy clash against Hampshire was abandoned without a ball being bowled yesterday after the umpires deemed the outfield at Eglinton unplayable after a second inspection.
Ireland’s campaign continues on Thursday when Leicestershire are the visitors to Castle Avenue, before they take on Nottinghamshire at the Clontarf venue on Saturday.
In light of yesterday’s abandonment, Ireland coach Phil Simmons’s decision to allow the international players take part in Saturday’s Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup second-round clashes proved a wise one. The weather took its toll on the programme also, with just eight of the 16 ties taking place, and all of those in Leinster.
Trent Johnston returned from a hamstring injury to take his place alongside Kevin O’Brien in a Railway Union side that proved far too strong for Glendermott at Park Avenue as they won by eight wickets. The North West side were bowled out for just 69, with Railway’s new professional Magnum Nanan (Trinidad) picking up four wickets for just one run with his left-arm spin.
Johnston suffered no reaction after sending down seven overs and is likely to return to Ireland duty on Thursday.
The home side knocked off the runs in just 10 overs, with Tom Fisher finishing unbeaten on 42, as they set up an intriguing third-round clash away to near neighbours Pembroke, who enjoyed a 10-wicket victory over Cork Harlequins at Sydney Parade.
Merrion also secured a 10-wicket success over Ballymena at Anglesea Road, while Leinster took advantage of their game with Fox Lodge being moved to Rathmines by running out winners by 151 runs.
International all-rounder Alex Cusack was back in the Clontarf ranks, taking three wickets for 14 runs as Carrickfergus were bowled out for 125 at Castle Avenue. Ireland batsman Andrew Poynter top-scored with 53 as the home side booked their place in the last 16 with a seven-wicket win.
Jeremy Bray’s unbeaten 74 helped The Hills see off Instonians by 10 wickets at Milverton and earn the Skerries side a home tie against last year’s beaten finalists Donemana, who held off Malahide by 18 runs. North Down also won on the road, beating Rush by 34 runs in a high-scoring encounter at Kenure.
FRIENDS PROVIDENT TROPHY(At Eglinton): Ireland v Hampshire. Match abandoned, 1 pt each.
