County making heavy weather of decider

CRICKET NEWS:NORTH COUNTY must overcome both the elements and a determined Donemana side today if they are to become the first side to win back-to-back Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup titles.

The Fingal side battled back from a horrendous start in yesterday's decider in Strabane, before heavy rain put paid to proceedings in mid-afternoon with the score on 106 for five after 32 overs. Andre Botha had won the toss and surprisingly put his side into bat.

On a lively pitch, three of North County's top four batsmen, including Botha and fellow Ireland international Reinhardt Strydom, fell without scoring as the favourites were reduced to 11 for three in the seventh over.

Strydom was the first to fall, playing on to the 10th delivery of the day from Stephen Dunn. The left-arm seamer struck in his next over as Richie Lawrence popped one up to Jordan McGonigle at mid-off.

The prized County scalp went to Ireland Under-19 bowler Andrew Britton, who had Botha caught at second slip after he had looked far from comfortable in his 12-ball stay at the crease.

Much was going to depend on opening batsman Conor Armstrong and he continued to play his normal attacking game as he and Adrian Murphy started to rebuild.

The pair had moved the scoreboard on to 46 before Murphy was trapped leg-before by Donemana pro Azhar Shaffique for 11 and County looked in dire straits when former international Alex McBrine got through John Mooney's defences with his second delivery after he had made just eight.

Armstrong continued his attacking policy and brought up his 50 off 68 deliveries with nine boundaries and had pushed on to 64 before the rain became too heavy to continue.

His partnership of 39 with Ciarán Garry (16 not out) pushed County into three figures and they will need to push on this morning (11.0) if they are to set a defendable total. In the event of no result being possible, both sides will share the trophy.

South Africa coach Mickey Arthur has said a proposed limited-overs series with Pakistan will not happen, providing a welcome break for his exhausted players.