High Scores for Merrion

Three centuries by Merrion players this week in representative matches prompted interest in other examples of centuries by Merrion players. But first the three centuries, 148 [from 107 balls] by Annabelle Squires, her maiden century in any form of cricket, for Leinster v NCU in the Future Series Competition. This was followed by a second century by Daniel Forkin for the Leinster Bolts [108* following 53 in first innings] v Emerging Knights. And finally, in the Leinster Lightning [IP50] Inter-Provincial Cup match v North West Warriors, Stephen Doheny scored 124 at over a run a ball.

So what do we know about past centuries. Let us start with Senior Cricket. Well the first thing to say is that they were much rarer in the early years of Senior Competitions, but not unknown. A total of 37 players have made centuries for Merrion since 1926 when the club went started to play in senior competitions. In the top table there are ten scores of 150 or more. All but two of these scored in the last 30 years.

To the above you can add the 178 made by John Anderson in the Irish Senior Cup against The Hills in 2024.

The list of players who scored centuries for Merrion are Ben Ackland [1], Kevin Allwright [1], Rory Allwright [1], John Anderson [18], ES Barber [1], Kade Beasley [2], Connor Blaxall-Hill [1], John Blakeney [3], Neil Brown [1], Jamie Brown [2], Greg Clarence [2], Simon Curley [7], Stephen Doheny [6], Vinnie Holloway [1], Brett Hughes [1], Dom Joyce [11], Ed Joyce [1], Gus Joyce [4], Tyrone Kane [3], Tim Lang [1], Michael Lewis [1], Cecil Little [4], Ken McDonald [1], A Morison [1], Paul Nielsen [1], Andrew Nixon [1], JD O’Connor [2], Daniel Payne [1], Ray Ramsaroop [1], David Robinson [3], Brett Saxon [2], Brad Spanner [12], Brett Thompson [2], David Rhoda [2], WV Rumney [1], Chris Torrisi [5], Paddy Waldron [4].

For reasons that were never clear, the records of the Irish Senior Cup were never included as part of the averages collated by Derek Scott. Details from a few matches were lost. But we do have figures on most if not all of the centuries. Apart from the innings by John Anderson above, no score was higher than 150. But we do have details of who made centuries for Merrion.  John Anderson [8], Jamie Brown [1], Greg Clarence [1], Stephen Doheny [2],  John Heavey [1], Dom Joyce [3], Ed Joyce [1], Gus Joyce [1], Swapnil Modgill [2],  R Smith [1],  Brad Spanner [1], Tyrone Kane [1].

The records for Junior Cricket are incomplete so very little is definitive before 2010. Eleven scores over 150 are recorded, with Vikas Dhiman appearing three times, the most of anyone in Merrion. Top of the list is Timcy Khanduja. His 207 for Rush against Rush 2 in Kenure in 2018 is probably the highest score ever made by the Merrion player in a club match. If anyone thinks they have a higher score let me know.

Cricket Leinster  CricketStatz

The Womens figures are even more difficult to find, they only go back to 2016. Given that most of the games are T20s there will be very few scores over 150. Since 2016 there are 22 centuries recorded for Merrion. The highest the 147 by Leah Paul for Merrion v Leinster in the 2021 Pilkington Plate.

One score over 150 worth noting is that by Aisling Lawlor [152] for Merrion U17 Girls v Leinster U17 Girls this year in the cup. The top ten scores [since 2016] are set out below.

Cricket Leinster  CricketStatz

Beyond this one has to go to unofficial sources and personal memories. The only other double century was scored by Isobel Joyce in the Pilkington Cup [50 over]. It was 201 against a combination of other teams @2009.

For Merrion players at International level – another Joyce heads the list. Ed Joyce made 231 in an innings for Ireland against the UAE in 201. This is the  highest score by an Irish bat in a 1^st Class game. He also scored another double century [205] v Namibia and a 155 in 2013 again versus the UAE. Ed also scored the second highest ODI score of 160* v Afganistan in Belfast in 2016.

The final section relates to the Interprovincial Series going back to 1949 [Cricket Europe] Ed Joyce again figures [twice this time] with 167* for Leinster v Northern Knights in 2017 and 156 for the against the North West Warriers in 2017. Stephen Doheny also appears with 150* in 2025, in this case for Munster v Northern Knights.

None of this takes away from the excellent performances this week by Merrion players on representative duty. But it does provide some context.