News

Cricket Ireland has announced the Ireland Wolves squad for an upcoming tour to Scotland, and confirmed a series of new fixtures for the Academy squad that aim to provide Ireland’s emerging men’s cricket talent competitive international experience as part of its player development programme.
Pete Johnston, Head Coach of the Wolves and Academy Manager, said:

“The selectors have chosen a youthful but exciting Wolves squad with a view to the future and succession planning for specific roles. Competition for places has been high, with a number of guys performing well at the Inter-Provincial level.”

“Senior contracted players Andy McBrine and Craig Young will provide experience within the squad, and have this as an opportunity to perform having had limited opportunities recently with Ireland.”

“Harry Tector has impressed with his leadership, not only through a successful Under-19 World Cup campaign as captain, but he has also been an influential character around the Northern Knights team this season. This tour really offers us an opportunity to explore a few options ahead of our eight-match series in August with Bangladesh A.”

“Scotland have been very impressive under Coach Grant Bradburn and I’ve no doubt their A team will prove an excellent challenge. Our fixtures with neighbours Scotland from Youth to Senior level are always extremely competitive and remain a vital part of our program, I’m looking forward to seeing some good cricket over this short tour.”

The Wolves squad for Scotland is:

Harry Tector (Captain), David Delany, Gareth Delany, Stephen Doheny, Jonathan Garth, Shane Getkate, Aaron Gillespie, Fionn Hand, Tyrone Kane, Andrew McBrine, James McCollum, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.

The Wolves fixtures are:

10 July 2018: Wolves v Scotland A
Venue: Forfarshire CC
Format: 50 over match
Start time: 11.00am

11 July 2018: Wolves v Scotland A
Venue: Forfarshire CC
Format: 50 over match
Start time: 11.00am

12 July 2018: Wolves v Scotland A
Venue: Forfarshire CC
Format: T20 match
Start time: 1.00pm

Academy fixtures

Today was also a chance to confirm new Academy fixtures, and Johnston outlined how these fixtures fit into the development pathway model that he oversees at Cricket Ireland:

“We have moved into a new phase of cricket talent development in Ireland, with both the Shapoorji Pallonji Cricket Ireland Academy and Ireland Wolves programmes providing great opportunities for our emerging players to get a taste of competitive international cricket.”

“The two initiatives [Wolves and Academy] work hand-in-hand in our development programme. The Academy acts as the talent identification and skill development arm of our operation, while the Ireland Wolves is a programme that bridges that gap between domestic and international cricket by provide opportunities for a selection of centrally-contracted senior players and the best emerging talent to play together in high-standard, competitive cricket matches.”

“Internationals like James Shannon and Simi Singh have emerged from this system, and every player involved knows that this programme can help springboard their careers.”

The Academy fixtures are:

30 July – 2 August 2018: Academy v Future Stars
Venue: CIYMS CC, Belfast
Format: 4-day match
Start time: 11.00am

20 August 2018: Academy v Future Stars
Venue: London Winchmore Hill CC
Format: T20 match

21 August 2018: Academy v Scotland Academy
Venue: London Winchmore Hill CC
Format: T20 match

23 August 2018: Academy v Scotland Academy
Venue: London Winchmore Hill CC
Format: 50-over match

24 August 2018: Academy v Future Stars
Venue: London Winchmore Hill CC
Format: 50-over match

The Wolves celebrate a wicket against New Zealand (2017)
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