AN innings of the highest quality by captain John Anderson put Leinster Lightning in control of their inter-provincial championship game against Northern Knights.

Although rain cut short the first day by 73 minutes, Lightning still passed 300 for the loss of three wickets and, worryingly for the home attack, not only is Anderson still there to resume this morning on 135, but fellow Ireland international Andrew Poynter has just got his eye in, 19 not out from 48 balls.

Anderson has played only 17 times for Ireland since his debut in 2012 but in three Intercontinental Cup matches he averages 51 with a top score of 127. He again showed his class with a superbly compiled and, so far, chanceless innings with his first 50 taking 102 balls but his second 50 only 57 and his latest 35 has come off just 30. He has hit 18 boundaries.

Lightning's debutant Sean Terry was the first wicket, caught at backward point, but he also gave chances on 8 and 13 while Nikolai Smith, by far the most impressive Knights' bowler, forced Dom Joyce to chop on after a patient and faultless 71.

Meanwhile eight of the players involved in the match, including Terry, have been named in the Ireland A squad for next week's match against MCC at Bready.

Andy McBrine is captain and Stuart Thompson, with 47 senior caps, is the only other North West Warrior in a squad of eight full internationals. Yaqoob Ali, only Leinster's 12th man in this match, could be the other debutant next week.

Inter-provincial championship: Leinster Lightning first innings 306-3 (90 overs, J Anderson 135 not out, D Joyce 71, S Terry 32, S Singh 20) v Northern Knights. Today 11am-6.30am.

Ireland A (v MCC): A McBrine, Yaqoob Ali, P Chase, C Dougherty, T Kane, G McCarter, E Richardson, J Shannon, J Tector, S Terry, S Thompson, L Tucker