WHITWORTH KEEN TO DOUBLE UP
Lisburn skipper Neil Whitworth will be hoping to end a 30-year drought on Friday as his side takes on Muckamore in the Challenge Cup decider at Stormont (11am).
The County Durham born all-rounder has already held the T20 Cup aloft, but would dearly love to get his hands on a trophy that hasn’t been won outright by the Wallace Park side since 1985. Does the fact that there is already some silverware in the trophy cabinet take the pressure off somewhat?
“I don’t feel that’s necessarily the case as we know just how much the Challenge Cup means to everyone associated with the club,” said Whitworth. “It’s a very prestigious competition and one that hasn’t been won in a very long time. We are confident though given we have a very strong squad and we’re all really looking forward to it.
“It would be massive to lift the cup. Getting one trophy in the bag is great but to get two would be huge, not just for myself and the team, but for all the supporters and the club. The Challenge Cup carries a lot of history and it would be just amazing if we could win it and round off a good season.
Lisburn have quality throughout their side, spearheaded by one of the best overseas players in the country, Faiz Fazal.
“What Faiz has done in the past few seasons speaks volumes about his quality. He’s just so ultra-consistent, and having the likes of him and Nigel Jones, as well as internationals Mark Adair and Matthew Humphreys will be invaluable going into a big game.”
There were doubts over the availability of Mark Adair after he dislocated a finger during Ireland’s Test win against Zimbabwe, having also been troubled by a hamstring injury in the weeks building up to the game. However, Whitworth confirmed that he will be in the squad, although one notable absentee is James Hunter who had an important Bar exam that couldn’t be rescheduled.
The bowling unit of Lisburn has enjoyed great success this campaign with Ryan Macbeth’s switch from Brigade seeing the Donegal man joint-third wicket taker in the NCU with 29 scalps.
“Ryan has settled in very well and the fact that we are playing at Stormont where he enjoyed great success earlier in the season (taking his best figures of 4-24) will stand him in good stead. He’s come into the group and done really well, really liked by all the lads and has proved a good addition.”
Lisburn have beaten Lurgan, Derriaghy and Instonians to reach the showpiece final, getting stronger as the tournament has progressed.
“We did stumble over the line a little bit against Lurgan, but turned in two strong, excellent displays in the other two matches and hopefully that trend continues going into Friday’s final.”
The 30-year-old is respectful of their opponents Muckamore, who have been the surprise package of the NCU season, in the running for the Premiership title as well as a first final appearance since Dame Mary Peters won Olympic Gold in Munich back in 1972.
“They’ve done so well to be well placed in the league and they did beat us at Wallace Park a few weeks ago in a last wicket thriller. We know what we are up against and hopefully we get revenge in the final.”
What odds another nail-biter on Friday at Stormont? I’m sure the supporters of both clubs will be hoping to end their long drought ends come tea-time, no matter what the margin of victory.
TEAMS:
MUCKAMORE: Kyllin Vardhan, Satish Suresh, Mark Cleghorne, Jason van der Merwe, Ben Calitz, Luke Allen, Jamie Magowan, Neil Gill (capt), Shane Henderson, Pavan Khartik, Curtis Moorhead, Sam Magee (12th), Ewan Wilson (13th).
LISBURN: Neil Whitworth (capt), Faiz Fazal, David Miller, Jonathan Waite, Nigel Jones, Mark Adair, Matthew Humphreys, Glenn Halliday, Josh Manley, Ryan Macbeth, Adam Kennedy, Callum Atkinson (12th), Adam Berry (13th).
