Kerry cricketers beat UCC to qualify for All-Ireland National Cup quarter-finals
Batting first, Kerry were soon in trouble at 11 for 2 after five overs, the rebuilding was pedestrian at best, and at 89 for 3 at the half way stage, they looked unlikely to reach 200. But at the fall of the fourth wicket, Khurram joined captain Braden Warnke; together they found top gear.
Some classic cover-drives from Warnke contrasted with Khurram's clean six-hitting. Astonishingly, from 130 for 4 in the 29th over, Kerry more than doubled their score in the last 11 overs to finish on a competitive 267 for 7; Khurram lead the way finishing on 87 not out after smashing eight 4s and five 6s.
In reply, UCC also started slowly, Adnam fell early and cheaply, but Rizwan and Seenu stayed doggedly at the crease. The clear strategy was to keep wickets in hand to allow them to match Kerry's acceleration in the latter half of their innings. Not bad in theory, but Kerry bowlers very effectively kept the scoring rate down, so the climbing run-rate-required began to dramatically increase pressure on UCC.
Rizwan played with great confidence and regularly found the boundary to remind Kerry that he might match Khurram's fireworks later. After Seenu's dismissal, Vikrant hit a dynamic 35 (one 4, four 6s) to further jangle Kerry nerves.
When Usman Sherzad found the top of Vikrant's off stump, the pendulum started to swing back towards Kerry, and when Kashif Khan bowled Rizwan the domino effect brought the match to a rapid conclusion; UCC, 166 all out in the 31st over. In the final analysis, a convincing win by 101 runs; Kerry march into an All-Ireland National Cup quarter-final.
MCU Division 1 T20 League
On Saturday, Kerry's second XI faced Limerick in the morning and Nenagh in the evening, both at the Oyster Oval.
After a start delayed by a wet outfield the hosts batting line-up performed like an equally damp squib, capitulating for 45, a token effort breezed past by Limerick's second XI in less than 7 overs.
The hosts put up a better fight in the third and final match of the day; bowling respectable pace and lines, they dismissed Nenagh for a below par 124. But in spite of another feisty contribution of from Stephen Jonnalagadda (33), Kerry batters sent up too many skiers which the Nenagh fielders swallowed up with relish; again, Kerry's squad failed to chase down a modest target, all out for 111.
Kerry 2nd XI: a.o. 45, lost to Limerick 2nd XI: 47 for no loss, by 10 wickets.
Nenagh 1st XI: 124 for 8, beat Kerry 2nd XI: 111 a.o. by 13 runs.
MCU Division 3A
Kerry's fourth XI continue their good form with a comfortable four-wicket victory over the Blasters with an over to spare at the Oyster Oval on Sunday.
Limerick Blasters 3rd XI: 233a.o. lost to Kerry 4th XI 234 for 6, by 4 wickets
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