Ethan Leaves Lisburn in a spin

Young leg spinner, Ethan Archer, left Lisburn 3rds in a spin on Saturday as he took 5 wickets for just 24 runs as Ballymena secured a comfortable 76 run victory. Andy Lytle won the toss and chose to bat and while he and James Carmichael rode their luck early on, they took the score to 44 before Carmichael fell lbw for 12. Lytle was just starting to get into his stride when he pulled the ball straight to mid-wicket and was caught for 25. Both Jeff Martin and Brian McGookin looked in good touch but both followed their captain in being well caught. McGookin’s departure brought Paul Campbell to the middle to join Alasdair Frazer and at this point the fireworks began. This pair added 102 runs in just 10 overs, both scoring unbeaten 50s, Campbell hitting 55 off just 32 balls. Ballymena finished their 30 overs on 199 for 4.

In reply, Lisburn knew that they had to score quickly and despite Trevor McBurney claiming a wicket in the first over, the home team settled quickly into a fast-scoring pace. Andy Craig replaced McBurney and struck with his second ball, clean bowling the Lisburn number 3. After 3 overs, Craig was replaced by Ethan Archer and immediately the wickets started to fall as Ethan bowled with good flight and turn. In his 6 overs Ethan took 5 wickets for 24 runs, his best return for the 3rds. The Ballymena fielding was impressive with 6 catches being held. The Lisburn innings was wrapped up with McBurney’s second wicket, 76 runs short of the Ballymena total.

This leaves Ballymena with 3 wins from 5 in the league. Next week they will travel to play Woodvale in the league.