Dublin – Leinster Lightening beat Munster Reds by six wickets to consolidate their lead at the top of the IP20 table.
Munster Reds captain Josh Manley called correctly at the toss for the second day in a row against Leinster Lightning but this time decided to bat.
Initially the Leinster Lightning bowlers succeeded in keeping things very tight with the Reds scoring just over 5 runs an over in the first ten.
However the visitors then managed to break the shackles scoring 107 from the final 60 balls of their innings.
While balls flew to all parts of the ground, David Delany took a catch for the ages leaping backwards to his right to dismiss Manley.
But it was Ben Calitz (54 off 40 balls) and Jordan Neill (33 off 19) who provided the main impetus at the back end of the Munster Reds innings.
Chasing 160 to win, Leinster Lightning took a completely different approach scoring an explosive 89 in the first ten overs for the loss of one wicket.
Manley who was Player of the Match in the IP50 match the day before dismissed Swapnil Modgill early on but Tim Tector and Chris De Freitas kept up the rate of scoring.
With 41 needed off 30 and the fall of three more wickets there was the possibility of a tight finish. Yet Leinster Lightning’s scoring rate meant the result was never really in doubt.
In this IP2024 double header Munster Reds will be satisfied with their victory in the IP50 the day before but it was Leinster Lightning who took the spoils in shorter format.
MATCH SUMMARY
Leinster Lightning v Munster Reds, IP20, Pembroke Cricket Club, Dublin, Ireland — 16 May 2024
Munster Reds 159-8 (20 overs; B Calitz 54, J Neill 33, D Leus 2-43, S Harbinson 2-11)
Leinster Lightning 164-4 (18.3 overs; T Tector 5, C De Freitas 31, J Manley 3-34)
Leinster Lightning won by six wickets.
