CRICKET: Greg Thompson the hero of the hour in Twenty20 Cup final as Waringstown beat Lisburn

Thompson quite simply and almost single handedly won the trophy for Waringstown against rivals Lisburn.

As he strode to the middle Waringstown were 2-2 after Callum Atkinson had removed both Adam Dennison and Cobus Pienaar for ducks.

Sport is a great leveller and Dennison had made a double ton earlier in the week this time he lasted five balls.

Thompson made 109 from 53 balls, 11 of which he didn’t score off.

The rest was quite simply out of the top drawer. He hit 14 boundaries and cleared the ropes on four occasions.

Such was his dominance that next highest score was Kyle McCallan with 20.

By the time Mark Berry returned to bowl the 17th over Thompson was in full flow, having already exhibited his full repertoire of strokes.

First, a reverse sweep for four followed by another to long on to bring up his hundred, then a massive blow onto the groundsman’s shed, it was impossible to bowl at him.

In the next over the admirable Atkinson finally bowled him for 109, with the scores level, he left to a standing ovation from a decent crowd.

Atkinson finished with the best figures of the evening 4-23.

Afterwards an elated Thompson spoke of his delight at helping his club win the trophy.

“Great to play in a final and also in one with two teams that mean so much to me. Good to have Lisburn as opponents.

“I was just completely in the zone tonight and after a couple of near misses delighted to finally get to three figures.”

Earlier in the evening Lisburn had batted well to post a challenging total but one that was about 15 below the score they needed.

Cody Chetty batted through the innings for 57 not out from 53 balls with 3x4’s and three 6’s.

In company with Steve Lazars the pair added 109 for the third wicket, Lazars was out in the final over for 64 from 37 balls containing 8x4’s and three 6’s.

Perhaps on reflection Lisburn may rue that Nathan Waller only faced one ball.

Simply it was Thompson’s night, he has now scored more than 950 runs in all forms of cricket this year, surely his mobile number must be at the top of the Irish selectors names to call now for the important end of season games against Hong Kong.