Photo Credit: Cricket Ireland
PRETORIA, South Africa – After wrapping up the T20 series against Namibia in style yesterday, Ireland Wolves’ captain Harry Tector believes his side are preparing for a counter-attack by the African side in the upcoming two-match 50-over series starting on Wednesday.
Tector not only led the side to a 4-1 win in the T20 series, but found sparkling form in Game 4, hitting 91 from 47 balls to ensure a successful run-chase for his side.
Speaking from the team hotel today, he said:
“There was no pre-meditation about my innings, I just played on instinct really. Some days it comes off better than others, and yesterday was my day. It was good to get the win first and foremost, and it was great to share a century-stand with Gareth Delany.”
“As captain, the most pleasing aspect of the T20 series was the squad’s ability to bounce back after the first-up loss. We went one down, but then came back to win four straight – and got better with each game.”
“Winning a series 4-1 against a full senior side for an ‘A’ team is really impressive. It shows there is a lot of depth in Irish cricket, which can only be a good sign for the future.”
The Ireland Wolves will now take on the Namibians in two 50-over encounters later this week, and Tector says he has been preparing his side for a tough series:
“Yeah, I expect a tough series against Namibia in the next two matches. They’re going to come out hard, wanting to beat us after losing the T20s series, but we’ll be expecting that and be ready to respond. We have five new lads coming into the squad for the 50-over part of the tour, bringing a bit of fresh energy which will be great. I’m really looking forward to getting going on Wednesday and hopefully going 1-0 up.”
Ireland Wolves will play five T20 and two 50-over matches against Namibia on Wednesday and Thursday this week, followed by a 50-over match against the Northern Titans Invitation XI to finish the tour.
The Wolves tour
The Ireland Wolves is a second-tier international men’s team that was created in 2017 to bridge the gap between domestic first class and international cricket. The squad has played full-series’ against Bangladesh A (both home and away), toured Sri Lanka in 2019 and recorded two victories over visiting senior sides – Bangladesh and Zimbabwe – in 2019.
50-over Squad
Harry Tector (capt), James Cameron-Dow, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Shane Getkate, Tyrone Kane, Josh Little, James McCollum, Neil Rock, Jack Tector, Gary Wilson, Craig Young.
The fixtures on the current tour are:
• 18 Feb 2020 – 1st T20 v Namibia; 2nd T20 v Namibia
• 21 Feb 2020 – 3rd T20 v Namibia
• 23 Feb 2020 – 4th T20 v Namibia; 5th T20 v Namibia
• 26 Feb 2020 – 1st 50 over match v Namibia
• 27 Feb 2020 – 2nd 50 over match v Namibia
• 29 Feb 2020 – 50 over match v Northern Titans Select XI
Matches will be played across two grounds at SuperSport Park in Gauteng and Irene Villagers Cricket Club Ground in Pretoria.
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.
