Welcome victory for Third XI cricketers

Having lost two league games and exited the cup, the home side were in need of a good performance to get their season going.

Waringstown won the toss and chose to bat. Ballymena made an excellent start, restricting runs and picking up three early wickets. After Frazer and Cook’s opening 10 overs the visitors were struggling at 26 for 3.

The introduction of Michael Caithness strengthened Ballymena’s position further as he picked up 3 wickets in 4 overs to leave Waringstown 50 for 6 after 19.

The home team seemed on course to bowl their opponents out cheaply and chase a small total, but Waringstown’s number 5 R Waite batted calmly and skilfully to rebuild the innings, working singles and punishing any loose deliveries. Archer and McNeill came on to bowl and picked up a wicket each to put Waringstown 8 down, but Ballymena were unable to restrict Waite or to prevent him monopolizing the strike, and as Waringstown pushed past 100 it began to look like they could post a very competitive score.

Thankfully for the home side J. McClelland came on to bowl and wrapped up the innings by bowling Waite for 48 and having the last man caught out with 4 overs of the innings left. 124 all out with 35 overs to get the runs was a good half way performance by the bowling side, although there was inevitably an element of disappointment that Waringstown had been allowed to get 124 after being 50 for 6.

This soon faded as Ballymena’s batting effort got under way. Openers Caithness and McNeill batted sensibly to begin with against some good opening bowling from Waringstown, scoring 21 off the first 7 overs.

Having played themselves in, both batsmen accelerated, scoring runs all around the wicket, particularly square on the off side, through mid wicket and through the covers. By the 15th over the score stood at 85 for 0, the bowling side was demoralised, and the batsmen were in complete control.

Only one half chance was offered in the innings, when Caithness mistimed a slower ball, the shot looping in the air, but dropping between two fielders.

Both batsmen continued to attack as Waringstown seemed resigned to defeat, and after 20 overs only 12 runs were needed for victory. McNeill brought up the win in style, smashing 3 boundaries off the 21st over and going to 50 in the process. He finished on 57 not out, whilst Caithness was just short of a half century on 47 not out.

It was a fine batting effort against a Waringstown team with several very decent bowlers.

Ballymena can be very pleased with the win, despite the tricky patch in the field when Waite was in full flow.

Although the middle order was not required this time, they can hopefully take inspiration from the openers’ performance, which showed the advantages of playing yourself in and upping the run rate later.

Ballymena’s league record now stands at 2 wins, 2 losses, although one win was the result of a conceded match. Next week’s opponents are set to be Millpark II.