Cricket Ireland

With more than a third of the scheduled overs lost to rain on Wednesday the Hanley Energy Interprovincial Championship contest between the North West Warriors and the Northern Knights remains well poised heading into the third and final day.

The home side began the morning on 24 without loss and openers David Rankin and Ross Allen dealt comfortably with everything the Knights threw at them for the first 90 minutes before Allan Coulter split them up. Coulter trapped Rankin leg before for 41 in a partnership of 83, however Allen and Ross Hunter got the Warriors through to lunch on 124 for 1 from there.

A lengthy interruption meant the players had a bit of a wait to get back on, but when they did, Jacob Mulder struck almost immediately, trapping Hunter in front for 14. Eglinton all-rounder Allen posted his first Interprovincial half century soon after as he and Danza Hyatt took the score to 162 before the Brigade man fell to a weird and wonderful catch from Nikolai Smith for 19. The West Indian got a half-tracker from Mulder that he belted in the direction of mid-wicket where Smith stuck a hand out and somehow grabbed it on the way past.

An early tea followed another rain break and the Knights finally found a way past Allen soon after the re-start, the opener missing out with a premediated sweep to become Mulder’s third victim. His knock of 70 included 8 fours and was the mark of a young man on very good terms with himself, helping the Warriors to within 88 of the first innings score.

The busy umpires were at it again as the evening started to draw to a close with North Down man Mulder picking up his fourth wicket (and third lbw verdict) as Oraine Williams went for 10.

In between times, skipper Andy McBrine moved easily to 33 not out at the close, leaving his team just 53 runs behind and with 5 first innings wickets in hand.

With a draw now almost certain given Thursday’s weather forecast, the hosts appear very likely to go after the additional batting points first and foremost as opposed to any tactical declaration.

HANLEY ENERGY INTERPOVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP
At Bready- Day 2 close

Northern Knights 277 (S Getkate 53, D Scanlon 6-37)

North West Warriors 224-5 (72 overs, R Allen 70, D Rankin 41, A McBrine 33no, J Mulder 4-53)