Nenagh Cricket teams make bright start to the 2022 season

Nenagh Cricket Club have seen a tremendous increase in number of new people trying the sport recently, which enabled the club to field two teams in Munster Cricket Union Division 1 & 2 Leagues this season.

Both teams have played two matches so far, winning one and losing one in each of their divisions.

Nenagh’s first team made the trip to Farmer’s Cross, Cork to play Cork Harlequins on the opening day. New Captain Jojin Mathew and his team made a perfect start by registering a commanding victory.

Batting first, Nenagh posted 238/7 off 42 overs allocated due to rain interruption. Wicketkeeper and opening batter Sreehari Vinobhaji scored an impressive half century (62) who punished any lose balls bowled.

There were partnerships throughout the innings, however, the openers Sreehari and Umair Akber (14) laid the foundation by scoring 42 runs for the first wicket. More importantly they saw off the dangerous Harlequins opening bowlers with the shiney cricket ball on a cloudy morning.

Rain interruption led to the match being reduced to 42 overs and immediately Nenagh batters found attacking mode through the innings of Tony Kurian (23), Sreenivas Maniappan (41) and Tom Paul (25). Some of the sixes hit by the latter two were monster hits that could have cleared any grounds by distance. Jomy Joseph (8) and Tiju George remained not out.

In reply, Cork Harlequins found scoring difficult against a fired up Nenagh opening bowlers Tiju George (22/3) and Cinulal V (31/1), they shared the first four wickets to fall with Tiju being the most destructive of the two who clean bowled both Cork openers Ted Williamson and Jack Conley.

Cork were blown away after this opening burst and never looked like reaching to the target. All-rounder Sreenivas Maniappan (20/2) chipped in with two wickets after his batting heroics, while other bowlers Tony Kurian, Jomy Joseph and Ebin Baby backed up with a wicket each. Skipper Jojin Mathew bought himself on while a partnership for Cork was beginning to develop and ended their hope for recovery almost immediately. In the end, Cork were dismissed for 120 runs handing victory to Nenagh by a big margin of 118 runs.

Nenagh first team played their second game on the same weekend which ended in a narrow defeat to UCC by three wickets.

Nenagh opening batters have given a good start in consecutive matches with Sreehari top scoring with 45 runs and Umair Akber (14) supporting from the other end. However, the middle order collapsed while trying to accelerate the scoring rate. In the end, Nenagh were all out for a mere 167 runs. Lethin Mathew (24 not out) was the only other notable scorer.

Nenagh bowlers once again stood up and made opponents work hard for their runs and had UCC at 59/5. At this point, Nenagh looked to be heading to their second victory. UCC opener Navam Gupta played a Captain's knock while wickets were tumbling around him to remain not out for 64 runs and guided his team to a victory which looked unlikely a few overs before.

Nenagh’s 2nd team, led by Jomy Joseph, travelled to Clonmel to play United Cricket Club in division 2. Nenagh were playing their first ever game and found themselves at the wrong end of the result.

Batting first, United Cricket Club scored 174 all out. In reply Nenagh batters never found it going and were all out for 92 runs.

After this disappointing game, Nenagh 2 bounced back by playing a thriller against County Kerry Cricket Club at the Oval, Spa, Killarney last weekend.

Batting first, Nenagh were cruising to a big total, thanks to Bharath Kumar (58) who scored his maiden half century. However, his dismissal led to a collapse which resulted in a below par total of 150 runs.

Nenagh’s opening bowlers Vishak Narayan (40/2) and skipper Jomy Joseph (23/3) were determined to defend the total, immediately finding rhythm and wickets to reduce Kerry CC to 33/5. Shan Thomas added another wicket soon to leave Kerry at 36 runs for six and looked far from the target of 151 runs to win.

Kerry, however, were never going to give up without a fight, some late batting partnership between Thomas Mathew (27) and Farrukh Hussain (24) saved them not only from the tough position but also gave them hope for an unlikely victory.

Nenagh skipper Jomy Joseph struck to remove Farrukh, caught by batting hero Bharath. Despite that, batter Libin Philip (22 not out) and Thomas continued good batting to take them within a few shots away from victory.

Nenagh bowler Vimal John kept a cool head to remove both Thomas and last batter Mathew Smith on successive deliveries to claim a hard-earned victory by fourteen runs. Wicketkeeper Sreehari effected a club record of five dismissals (3 catches, 2 stumpings) in the match.

Nenagh train every Tuesday and Thursdays, and players of all levels are welcome to join. Matches, live-scoring, and updates are available on the Nenagh Cricket Club Facebook page. For more information email: nenaghcc@gmail.com.