Thompson makes impression at World Cup
Thursday, 21 January 2010
Limavady Grammar School pupil and Eglinton all-rounder Stuart Thompson is showing his worth in New Zealand, as Ireland contest the Plate at the Under 19 World Cup.
LOCAL cricketer Stuart Thompson has made a big impact in Ireland's Under 19 World Cup campaign in New Zealand, featuring prominently in all three games so far, including Tuesday's five wicket victory over the USA.
Ireland lost their opening encounter last week, going down to a five wicket defeat against South Africa.
Despite the loss, Limavady Grammar School pupil Stuart Thompson opened his World Cup in fine fashion, taking 2-29 in a spirited bowling spell at Queenstown.
The Emerald Isle also lost their second game to the impressive Australia by 209, but Thompson showed his worth again, this time with the bat, scoring 19, one of only two players to reach double figures on the day.
And despite Paul Stirling taking all the headlines in Tuesday's win over the States, Thompson was once again amongst the runs, hitting 27 as Ireland racked up 218 with half their wickets to spare.
Chasing 218 for victory, Ireland were wobbling slightly at 105 for 4 after Ryan Corns dismissed Ben Ackland (16), and Lee Nelson (0) in the space of four balls.
Stirling however found the perfect partner in Graham McDonnell, and the pair settled the Irish nerves with a match winning 104 run stand in exactly 16 overs.
Stirling played very sedately by his powerhouse standards in the initial stages of his innings, content to take his singles, rotating the strike. He reached his half century from 63 balls, and that was the signal for the Middlesex signed batsman to launch an all out offensive on a beleaguered American attack.
He was particularly brutal on Naseer Jamali, striking him for 23 runs in total in one savage over, including a massive six over long-on to bring up a quite superb century, his second fifty coming from just 33 deliveries.
He was eventually dismissed for 114, a knock which contained 12 fours and the aforementioned maximum.
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