Atla rips through Ballyhaunis

Cricket: It was a bright and blustery Bank Holiday Monday as Ballina welcomed Ballyhaunis 1st XI for the latest round of the Connacht Cricket Union First Division league at the Ballina Oval.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first. They found the going tough, especially when Pavittar Rathaur took out their top order with another fine bowling effort of four wickets for 36 runs. Before the match started there was much interest in the 5th test at the Oval, players watching with intent on their phones the final thrilling moments.

Great celebrations followed from Ballina’s Indian cricketers when their countrymen pulled off a stunning victory over England, spurred on by a fantastic display of bowling from Mohammed Siraj with nine wickets. His fellow country-men were obviously inspired as Sravankumar Atla bowled with devastating effect, taking an incredible five wickets for runs in his four over spells leaving Ballyhaunis 89 all out in only 20 overs.

Atla had his line within a few balls, and his straight and full deliveries proved too much for Ballyhaunis to deal with. Manu Devassy had also taken a fine catch from his own ball, while the pick of the fielding was a catch from Chamila out in deep cover.

Skipper Chris O’Neil gave Ballina a flying start in pursuit of the Ballyhaunis total, scoring 28 off just 20 balls until he was out with the score at 39 for 1 in the sixth over. The standard of bowling on show from both teams was commendable, and Ballina lost another couple of wickets, finding themselves at 53 for 3 in the eighth over.

O’Neil urged his team not to panic; there was time to score the required runs without taking too much risk. Sravankumar Atla and Jineesh Chacko then steadied the ship to see Ballina home, with a nice partnership of 46.

The home team reached the winning target with a flourish in the fourteenth over, to win the match by 7 wickets. Sravankumar had a fine all-round game, scoring 31 not out to go with his five-wicket haul.