Liverpool and District 183-8 (Lawler 36, Kennedy 35, Miles 31; Jackson 2-26)
North League/Palace Shield 148 All Out (Finch 41; Garikapati 2-6, Lawler 2-31, Heyes 2-19)
On a warm, overcast day at Rainhill Cricket Club, the Liverpool and District Cricket Competition Representative U14 team faced off against the Northern League/Palace Shield Representative U14 in the Lancashire Cricket Foundation Competitions – LCF U14 Inter League 2024. The Northern League won the toss and elected to field.
Liverpool’s innings began with a solid opening partnership between Vedu Garikipati and Ryan Kennedy. They put together 50 runs in 14.3 overs, with Garikipati contributing 28 runs off 57 balls, including four boundaries. Kennedy played a patient innings, riding the early pressure before pushing on and scoring 35 off 56 balls with 4 fours and a six. Both openers fell to George Brame, but they had set a strong foundation for the team.
Charlie McPhee was next in, and extremely unlucky being given out caught at first slip, with the ball having bounced off his foot.
Cameron Moore and Nathan Lawler continued the momentum, adding 50 runs for the fourth wicket. Moore scored 27 off 40 balls, while Lawler made a valuable 36 off 61 balls – top scoring for the team. Their partnership helped Liverpool reach 150 runs in 39.3 overs. William Miles then provided a late surge, scoring 31 runs off just 33 balls with three boundaries. Liverpool finished their innings at 183 for 8 in their allotted 45 overs, a commendable total given the conditions.
Liverpool’s bowlers were disciplined from the start, captain Will Miles recognised the pitch wasn’t giving the seamers much joy, so was decisive in bringing spin in to the attack early.
Will Heyes was effective, taking 2 wickets for 19 runs in his 5 overs. Liverpool’s three leg spinners, Nathan Lawler, Louis Finnegan and Vedu Garikipati contributed significantly, bowing economically and taking wickets at key times, breaking partnerships and shifting momentum back to Liverpool’s favour.
Lawler took 2 wickets for 31 runs in his 9 overs. Garikipati took 2 wickets for just 6 runs in 3.3 overs, and Finnegan, 1 wicket for 37 runs in 9 overs.
The fielding effort from Liverpool was outstanding. One of the highlights was a superb catch by Louie Finnegan at short extra cover, diving low to his right to snag a ball that was driven hard and low, showing exceptional reflexes and skill. Additionally, Vedu Garikipati was sharp in the field, executing a run-out off Nathan Lawler’s bowling. Garikipati quickly gathered the ball and threw it accurately, hitting the stumps to dismiss Archie Jackson.
Liverpool dismissed NL/PS for 148 runs in 34.3 overs, securing a 35-run victory.
Overall, Liverpool and District Cricket Competition Representative U14 displayed a well-rounded performance, with significant contributions from both batters and bowlers. Their ability to build partnerships, take timely wickets, and execute brilliant fielding plays ensured they emerged victorious in this inter-league encounter.