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For the third time in six days and in the third format the Leinster Lightning come up against the Northern Knights. On this occasion it is in the IP20 and the venue is Merrion Cricket Club at 5pm on Friday June 9th.
The Leinster Lightning completes a busy week against the Northern Knights on Friday evening in Merrion Cricket Club. There are two changes from the first T-20 game against the Warriors. Tom Stanton comes in replacing George Dockrell who continues to be busy with exams and Andrew Sheridan from North County is also included in the 12-man squad.

On Sunday, John Anderson’s men were in a commanding position in the Hanley Energy Inter-Provincial 50-over fixture at Belmont. Ed Joyce, providing a masterclass in batting with is 17th List-A century, set the game up nicely for the holders. Jack Tector had the best seat in the house and the YMCA captain made 52 in a 131-run opening partnership. Rain was to have the last say however, and the two teams had to settle for a share of the spoils.

It was over to Stormont on Monday, for the Lightning’s first ever First-Class match. They secured a first innings lead but, as the Knights batted out the final day, any thoughts of setting up a target to chase were quashed and the game finished as a draw. The holders took 10 points and the Knights settled for 9.

Half centuries for Jack Tector, Andrew Balbirnie and Eddie Richardson ensured the Lightning ended day two in a commanding position. Richardson with 4 first innings wickets, capped off a solid all-round performance, while Gareth Delany impressed with his control and three first innings wickets on a seamer friendly pitch. Peter Chase led the young Lightning attack with real maturity and ended with five wickets in the match. Andrew Balbirnie also show-cased his all-round abilities and took three second innings wickets to keep the pressure on the hosts. The Knights captain, James Shannon stole the show though, as he batted beautifully and steered his team to safety with an unbeaten 140.

Leinster Lightning squad for the IP20 match with the Northern Knights, Merrion Cricket Club, Friday June 9th, 5pm

John Anderson (c) (Merrion)
Andrew Balbirnie (Pembroke)
Peter Chase (Malahide)
Gareth Delany (Leinster)
Bobby Gamble (YMCA)
Kevin O’Brien (Railway Union)
Eddie Richardson (North County)
Andrew Sheridan (North County)
Simi Singh (YMCA)
Max Sorensen (The Hills)
Tom Stanton (Merrion)
Lorcan Tucker (w/k) (Pembroke)

Cricket Ireland
Skipper John Anderson who will lead the Lightning on his home ground tomorrow night
Yes
Connaught