Photo Credit: Cricket Ireland
The Cricket Ireland Academy team starts their Future Series campaign today in Cork – the first time the Ireland Academy squad are participating in the competition, providing valuable experience for new faces and existing members of the Irish youth pathways.
The first set of fixtures include a doubleheader in Cork against Munster Heat today (12 July) following by a 50-over fixture against the same opposition on Wednesday (13 July). The squad will benefit from coaching support from international Test cricketer PJ Moor, fielding specialist Devon James, performance analyst Ollie Kanavan and former Irish cricketer Andre Botha.
Speaking ahead of the competition National Academy and Performance Manager, Pete Johnston said:
“It’s important that we provide as many opportunities as possible for players who were part of the Under-19 World Cup through our domestic provincial competitions and teams so that they can build on their hard work and experience from the World Cup. A number of these players have been involved in senior provincial cricket this season and we also see further guys getting opportunities across the provinces and Irish U17s.
“Alongside this, we have broadened our talent search and welcome new faces that will supplement our talented playing pool here in Ireland. With a future view of attracting young talent and supplementing the playing pool here in Ireland, a focus on specific skill-sets and creating additional competition, some young players, with very strong and proud Irish connections will also get an opportunity to experience and get a taste of cricket in Ireland through a competitive series of games over a two-week period.
“Having the additional team this year also allows us broaden our talent search, through which we’re create opportunities for players through their provinces. The series of fixtures allows the provinces to look at their succession planning and pit their young up and coming players against their peers and this year also provides invaluable experience for our Under-17 national playing group.”
The Ireland Academy squad is as follows:
• Yaseen Sherzad (North Kildare CC)
• David Vincent (Clontarf CC)
• Jago Catherwood-Smith (Berkshire Youth)
• Ryan Karunakaran (Buckhurst Hill CC and Loughborough University)
• Zac Maron (Clontarf CC and ACT Youth)
• Ronan Restieaux (Woodvale CC and Central Districts Youth)
• Muzamil Sherzad (North Kildare CC and Ireland U-19s)
• Jordan Collier (Oxton CC (Cheshire) and Western Province Youth)
• Ben McCabe (Clontarf CC)
• Finn Catherwood-Smith (Beackonsfield CC and Hampshire)
• Diarmuid Burke (Malahide CC and Ireland U19)
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Name of Author: Cricket Ireland
Cricket Ireland, officially known as The Irish Cricket Union Company Limited by Guarantee, is the governing body for cricket on the island of Ireland. It oversees the national men’s and women’s teams and organizes the Inter-Provincial Series, Super 3s, and All-Ireland club competitions. Ireland achieved Test status for women in 2000 and for men in 2017 when it became a Full Member of the ICC.
