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Ireland Wolves take on Gloucestershire 2nds in the first of three 3-Day matches in July. Head Coach Pete Johnston looks ahead to the game.
The Ireland Wolves and their Head Coach Pete Johnston are looking forward to kicking off the first of a series of 3 day games this morning at Rockhampton CC, near Bristol, against Gloucestershire CCC 2nds.
“it has been a busy period for our domestic players with provincial and club cricket”. With that in mind, after arriving in Bristol yesterday they “focused on flexibility and mobility with our physio Niamh Connolly before a sharp specific fielding session. At this stage of the season, recovery and monitoring become a high priority. It is essential that players take ownership of this to give them and the team the best chance of being at their best.”

It is important to be mentally prepared for the multi-day format and Johnston is confident in the squad that has assembled in Bristol. “There were some great discussions around our approach with bat and ball in the longer format and what we are hoping to achieve by breaking things down in order to be successful. We have an in form team and all they need to do is go out and trust in their ability and take it on, and the performance will take care of itself.”

Andy Balbirnie was due to lead the Wolves in all three Wolves matches this month but misses out this week due to a recurrence of a glute injury. Jack Tector who has, according to Johnston, “been improving at a rapid pace and is having a very good provincial season,” will captain the side.

“I’ve no doubt he will lead this Wolves team extremely well in Andrew Balbirnie’s absence. He has good game sense and is a calm and logical thinker under pressure. Ed Joyce has been an excellent mentor for Jack recently too and the pair have formed a formidable batting partnership with the Lightning. James Shannon is another who has shown very positive leadership this season with the Knights and every day in and around training,” added Johnston.

Tector is excited by the opportunity to lead the Wolves side. “It’s very exciting to captain the Wolves over the next few days. It’s a big opportunity for guys to put their names in the hat given the fantastic news of test match status last week.

“Hopefully we can continue where we left off in Bristol in pre-season and bring a win into the game against Scotland A next week, which will be another good test.”

Wolves Head Coach Pete Johnston is looking for a positive start to nine days of competitive action in July as he prepares the Wolves for a future in international cricket. “Hopefully we can set the tone in this game, by being resilient when required and dominant when on top. The welcome and deserved elevation (to test status) will help in the process of developing our next generation of players so that when their chance comes at the highest level, they will be ready to execute performance.”

Ireland Wolves v Gloucestershire 2nds, Rockhampton CC, Tuesday July 4th – Thursday July 6th

Ireland Wolves Squad
Jack Tector (capt)
John Anderson
Peter Chase
Shane Getkate
Jacob Mulder
James McCollum
James Shannon
Simi Singh
Nathan Smith
Sean Terry
Lorcan Tucker
Craig Young

Gloucestershire CCC 2nds Squad
Barrow
Hammond
Hankins
Howell
Bracey
Garrett
Griesharber
Drissell
M Taylor
Shaw
Liddle
Lintott


Cricket Ireland
Physio Niamh Connolly puts the Wolves through their paces at Rockhampton CC yesterday
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