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DUBLIN – Leinster Lightning returned to the top of the table thanks in large part to a six-wicket haul from paceman Barry McCarthy and a brilliant 88 from their in-form captain George Dockrell in the Inter-Provincial Cup match against Munster Reds today at Pembroke Cricket Club.
The match was scheduled to be played at The Mardyke in Cork, but recent heavy rainfall meant that ground was unable to host this encounter and a late switch to Pembroke was agreed by both sides.

While there were several supporting performances along the way, the two stand out performers today were Player of the Match McCarthy – who claimed the best-ever figures in the modern Inter-Provincial Series with 6-39 – and Dockrell who blazed his way to 88 from 86 balls, including 10 fours and a six.

McCarthy is by far and away the Series’ outstanding bowler in 2021, claiming 16 wickets so far at 10.75 apiece. Not only taking wickets, but doing so economically, conceding just 4.16 runs per over. McCarthy’s not only the leading wicket taker in the Series, but is that by some margin with a number of players having taken five wickets his nearest rivals.

Regarding Dockrell’s season with the bat so far, the Phoenix all-rounder has scored 297 runs at an incredible average of 148.50, including a century and two half-centuries – dominating all attacks from his middle-order batting position. Lorcan Tucker’s innings today of 58 from 52 balls was entertaining, but Dockrell oozed reassurance for Lightning fans, as he found the gaps – and boundary – with ease.

Credit must also go to the Reds captain Tyrone Kane whose 4-46 stood out against a strong opposition batting line-up.

Image: George Dockrell scores another half-century

The Lightning’s 271 was too large a task for the Munster side, who put up a gallant batting display but had no real answers to the Leinster side’s pace barrage. All four pacemen used today took wickets, and impressed with their tight bowling lines and use of the overcast and breezy conditions.

For the Reds, Murray Commins hit his second half-century in three innings for the southern side, today making a watchful 50 from 92 balls. Seamus Lynch hit two big sixes down the ground off Simi Singh in an entertaining 21, and there were late runs from Fionn Hand (27), but the Reds succumbed in the 43rd over, all out for 178.

The Leinster Lightning play the North West Warriors next Tuesday which may determine the direction of this year’s Cup, while Munster Reds take on the Northern Knights in Cork next Thursday.

MATCH SUMMARY

Munster Reds v Leinster Lightning, Inter-Provincial Cup, Dublin, 22 May 2021

Lightning 271 (48.3 overs; G Dockrell 88, L Tucker 58; T Kane 4-46)
Reds 178 (42.3 overs; M Commins 50; B McCarthy 6-39)

Leinster Lightning won by 93 runs

See full scorecard

Craig Easdown
Barry McCarthy shone with 6-39
No
Connaught