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MALAGA, Spain – The side featuring Kevin O’Brien, Josh Wilson, Daniel Murray and Seamus Lynch with Pete Johnston as Coach retained their title in an expanded 2025 competition.

At Cartama Oval, the British & Irish XI set records in the Final scoring a mammoth 197 from their ten overs and then managed to keep the European XI to 152 – securing victory by 45 runs.

The Weston Shield which is run by the European Cricket Network, is a T10 competition with four teams: a British & Irish XI, European XI, Asian XI, as well as a World XI which was captained by former New Zealand player Ross Taylor.

Other notable names in the tournament were Netherland’s opening batter Max O’Dowd, Pete Hatzoglou who has played in the Big Bash League in Australia, and USA’s Joshua Tromp who has experience in Major League Cricket.

Canada-born Ben Calitz, who played has for Northern Knights and Munster Reds, also lined out for World XI while Jeremy Martins of Malahide featured for the European XI.

The British & Irish XI had a dramatic run to the final, losing their first three games but then winning their next five at the tournament.

Pete Johnston, who is also Academy and Performance Manager with Cricket Ireland, spoke about his experience winning the 2025 Weston Shield:

“It was a pleasure to be asked to coach the British and Irish XI at the Weston Shield for what was a very successful T10 tournament that gave some of our emerging players exposure to strong sides, which included a balance of high quality emerging, professional, international players like Ross Taylor and Max O’Dowd.  It was incredible for young players to be competing with and against legends of the game, current internationals and Big Bash players from Australia.  Our own side included representation from England, Ireland, Scotland, Jersey and Wales; featuring eleven players who have competed in previous ECC T10 events for their respective countries.“

On his side’s journey to the final:

“Winning the competition was the icing on the cake and one of the best comeback stories I have been involved in with cricket. Having lost our first three games after Day One, the squad showed great resilience to go on a winning streak over the next few days, culminating in a complete performance in the final against a very strong European XI side.“

On youth and experience in the British & Irish XI:

“Even more pleasing was that we achieved winning the Weston Shield with the youngest team in the competition alongside the invaluable experience of our “icon” player Kevin O’Brien.  Kev showed he hadn’t lost his touch on the field when needed and also through his leadership which was first-class.  Without doubt his ability to thrive under pressure rubbed off on our players. There was another familiar name in our team with past Irish U19 and North West Warrior, now Glamorgan player Will Smale dominating for the British & Irish XI with his destructive batting and excellent keeping.“

On exposure for the players:

“For our own Emerging Irish representation in the team, Seamus Lynch had an excellent series batting at three and scoring nearly 300 runs with a strike rate of 257.  While Josh Wilson and 17-year-old Daniel Murray picked up valuable wickets with the ball.  Ben Calitz also shone for the World XI. The former Canadian U19 player will qualify for Ireland very soon. Meanwhile Younis Ahmadzai from Malahide also had an outstanding tournament for the Asia XI, alongside Suliman Safi from North County who gained valuable experience.

“From speaking with all the players, they have learned a huge amount which will help their development and personally for me as a coach I am always looking to learn from different experiences and challenges.“