Savill's field of dreams a big hit
[This article first appeared in the Irish Times, 23/6/08]
Article by EMMET RIORDAN
PETER SAVILL'S stunning new cricketing field of dreams opened in Wicklow yesterday as an Ireland XI took on a Lashings World XI in two Twenty20 clashes at Oak Hill Cricket Club in Kilbride.
In the end the shares were spoiled, but the big winner on the day was the game, as a venue to rival any in the country was unveiled in spectacular fashion.
Over 550 runs were scored over the two games on a ground, a credit to groundsmen Colin Dines and Sean Stanley after the outfield was flooded on Saturday by torrential rain.
Ireland's World Cup captain Trent Johnston didn't hold back in his praise for the ground. "The wicket was being played on for the first time, but it's the best I've played on in Ireland," said Johnston, who captained the Ireland XI to victory in the first game of the day.
He was nearly scuppered by Ireland coach Phil Simmons, who showed his charges that he has lost none of the shots that made him one of the most stylish batsmen to play the game.
Guesting for the Lashings World XI, the big West Indian scored the first half-century on the ground, hitting four fours and two maximums in just 37 balls as the visiting side made 126 off their 20 overs.
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif made 47, with left-arm spinner Gary Kidd taking two wickets for the Ireland XI.
The North Down opening pairing of Peter Connell and Gavin McKenna also impressed, taking a wicket each, while Johnston took one wicket for just 12 runs off his four overs.
North County's Reinhardt Strydom proved the star as the home team took victory off the third last ball, the big-hitting left-hander finishing unbeaten on 71 off 58 balls, with two fours and four sixes.
Clontarf's Andrew Poynter got in on the act, finishing on 30 not out as the pair put on 85 to wrap up the win.
Lashings were to gain their revenge against a more experienced Ireland XI in the second match, thanks in the main to a stunning century from India's Dinesh Mongia. <ep>
The sun even came out to have a look as the left-hander, with a first-class triple century to his name, clobbered the bowling all around the ground against the stunning backdrop of the Wicklow mountains.
He brought up his 50 off just 29 balls, before taking just 27 to bring up the first century scored on the ground.
He hit ten boundaries and five sixes in his ton and finally went trying to clear the rope for the eighth time, caught by Alex Cusack for 113 off the bowling of Connell, who also claimed the scalp of New Zealand Test player Ian Butler.
Set a target of 185, the Ireland XI top order failed to fire and five wickets were down with the score on 66.
Some late-order hitting from Poynter (25), Andrew Balbirnie (26) and an unbeaten 28 from Fintan McAllister got Ireland over the 150 mark, with Mongia and former England spinner John Emburey taking two wickets each.
Simmons continued to be a thorn in his own side's side so to speak, his huge hands grabbing a couple of catches for good measure.
As the crowds moved away home, Savill took time to look back on a memorable day for his family, with the pavilion having being earlier opened in memory of his late father Harry.
"It's been wonderful to see some really great cricketers here. It was a bit touch and go in the morning but the weather came good. It's been very rewarding to see people enjoy themselves and to be so overwhelmed by what we have done here. It's quite something," said Savill.
Quite something indeed.
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