Aussie speedster Pat Cummins will make his long awaited return to competitive action when he takes part in two matches in Ireland this week.
The 20-year old, who has played both Test and One-Day International cricket for Australia at senior level, will play for the Northern Ireland Cricket Academy against the MCC tomorrow.
48 hours later he will have the Ireland Under 19 team on their toes as he is included in the MCC team to face the teenagers in their annual game.
It’s an important fixture for the Under 19’s serving as part of their preparations for the ICC U19 World Cup Qualifying tournament being held in the Netherlands in August.
Cummins hasn’t played since October last year, suffering from a stress fracture in his back. He was included as a non-playing member of the Australia A squad which played in Belfast during the past week.
Discussions between Cricket Australia and Cricket Ireland have led to the New South Wales pace-man staying on in Belfast for an extra four days to play in the matches, while his team-mates flew to Bristol earlier today.
Cricket Ireland Under 19 coach Ryan Eagleson said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for the young players to play with and against someone of the calibre of Pat Cummins. It’ll be a wonderful experience for them and help in their cricketing development. I know they’re all excited and can’t wait for the matches to start.”
Northern Ireland Academy Squad
Mark Adair (CSNI), Pat Cummins (NSW/Australia), Rishi Chopra (Coleraine), Adam Dennison (Waringstown), Michael Gilmour (Carrickfergus), Aaron Gillespie (Strabane), Alex Haggan (Carrickfergus), Jamie Holmes (Lurgan), Richard Hood (Carrickfergus), Jordan McClurkin (Instonians), Alistair Shields (North Down).
Ireland Under 19
Mark Adair (CSNI), Rory Anders (Phoenix), David Barr (Bready), Scott Campbell (Coleraine), Rishi Chopra (Coleraine), Lee Cole (YMCA), Peter Eakin (North Down), Ruadhan Jones (North County/Cork Harlequins), Tyrone Kane (Merrion), James McCollum (Lurgan), Alistair Shields (North Down).
Fixtures:
Wednesday June 19 – Northern Ireland Academy v MCC @ Carrickfergus (11am).
Friday June 21 – Ireland Under 19 v MCC @ Muckamore (11am).
Nice over here in Belfast, Ireland. Don't know why the Titanic ever wanted to leave.
— Pat Cummins (@93Cummins) June 18, 2013
Cricket Ireland
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