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An unbeaten half century from Meg Kendal helped the Scorchers to a nine wicket win over the Typhoons in the opening match of the 2015 Women’s Super 3’s series.

The Pembroke wicket-keeper showed great patience and composure to bat right through the Scorchers innings and see the side home, after Kate McKenna showed similar composure to make 69 not out in the first innings.

After a huge amount of rain in the past few days and overcast conditions there was always likely to be some assistance for the bowlers early on, but Kim Garth and Lucy O’Reilly took full advantage after the Typhoons won the toss and elected to bat.

The Typhoons soon found themselves in trouble after O’Reilly (1-15) and Garth (2-19) removed openers Lucy Small (4), Sash Maloney (0) and Typhoons captain Elena Tice (0) with the score still in single figures.

When Hannah de Burgh-Whyte then sent Naomi Matthews (2) back to the pavilion with some superb fielding and Louise McCarthy fell to Isobel Joyce (1-37) for nine it looked like it would be a short spell in the field for the Scorchers.

But McKenna had other ideas showing grit and determination to stay at the crease and ensure the Typhoons weren’t blown away. She was joined by Amy Kenealy (19), who stayed in the middle for almost 20 overs before being run out by Garth after a 75-run partnership with McKenna.

Another run out after some excellent fielding from Lara Mauritz and a final over wicket from O’Reilly saw the Typhoons reach 152-8 at the end of their 50 overs, definitely a competitive score on a difficult day for batting.

Heading into bat the Scorchers knew that even with the seemingly low score, there was a real risk of the Typhoons getting on top with some early wickets and the game drifting away from them. Anna Kerrison and Kendal showed the same grit and determination that McKenna had earlier and saw off opening bowlers McCarthy and Kenealy without looking troubled.

Typhoons captain Elena Tice brought herself into the attack early and bowled four overs before leaving the field as a precaution with a slight strain in her quadriceps. With another Super 3’s match next weekend and a County Championships double header coming up for the senior Ireland team it was decided not to risk the leg spinner, and she was withdrawn by Cricket Ireland on the advice of the team physio.

Without Tice in the attack the Typhoons were lacking options with the ball and the opening pair of Kendal and Kerrison patiently moved the score forward. They made it to the drinks break at 25 overs with the score on 97 with just one major scare, when the Typhoons were convinced McCarthy had found the edge of Kendal’s bat, but she stood firm and it was given not out.

As happens so often in cricket, the momentum was broken by the drinks break and Kerrison (29) fell LBW to Naomi Matthews just ten balls after the restart, but not before the pair brought up the first 100-partnership in the Super 3’s.

Kendal then passed 50 before the incoming bat, Isobel Joyce, had the opportunity to face a ball, before patiently ensuring the Scorchers made it home without losing any more wickets.

The win means the Scorchers get two points and a healthy net run-rate to kick-start their campaign before the Typhoons and Dragons meet in Merrion CC next Sunday.

Pictures: Rob O’Connor
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