Matthew Humphreys impressed against West Indies Academy
Matthew Humphreys staked an early claim to regain his Test match place after taking five wickets on the opening day of the four-day game at Stormont between an Ireland XI and West Indies Academy.
After Curtis Campher took two wickets in two balls to reduce the tourists to 94 for five, the Irish bowlers were held up by a sixth wicket stand of 83. But Humphreys, the Lisburn slow left armer, called into the team after Theo van Woerkom turned down an Ireland contract, made the breakthrough and then took the remaining four wickets at a cost of just 20 runs.
The Ireland batting line-up for next month’s Test against Zimbabwe will get their chance on Wednesday after the visitors were bowled out for 200. Andrew Balbirnie and James McCollum survived the final seven overs of the day.
Meanwhile, there will be a dress rehearsal for the Gallagher Challenge Cup Semi-Final this Saturday after Muckamore were drawn at home to Woodvale.
The Premier League leaders are at Moylena this weekend and the Cup Semi-Finals are on July 6. Lisburn have home advantage in the other game, against Instonians.
Stormont: West Indies Academy 200 (56 overs, T Bishop 69; M Humphreys 5-57, C Campher 3-12) Ireland XI 18-0 (7 overs). Continues Wednesday 10.30am.