John Mooney will lead an experienced Ireland A side in their annual clash against the MCC at Lords on Tuesday April 21 (10:30am).
The North County all-rounder is one of ten senior capped players in the squad of 12, five of whom were included in the recent Ireland World Cup squad. In addition to Mooney, opening bowlers Craig Young and Peter Chase, as well as all-rounders Stuart Thompson and Andrew McBrine travelled to Australia and New Zealand.
There’s a recall to the international ranks for Greg Thompson after a seven year absence. The Waringstown all-rounder won the last of his 14 senior caps back in 2008. The 27 year-old became the youngest debutant for Ireland when he was just 16 against the MCC at Limavady in 2004.
His Waringstown team-mate Lee Nelson is included in the squad, along with top order batsmen Chris Dougherty and David Rankin.
New Coleraine seamer Graeme McCarter is named along with Eddie Richardson, giving skipper Mooney plenty of seam bowling options. The effervescent Stuart Poynter is wicket-keeper, and he will be looking to build on some impressive international performances in 2014, including a century against Sri Lanka A.
Chairman of Selectors, Alan Lewis commented: “We have decided to test some players who have either performed well in the Hanley Energy Inter-Provincial Series last season or showed great signs of improvement during this winter’s Emerging Players Programme. In giving these players the opportunity, we have an eye on what’s ahead this summer.”
“There’s no greater honour than captaining your country and it’ll be a special privilege to be leading them out at Lords next week,” said skipper John Mooney.
“The selectors have named a very strong squad, and there is obviously the great incentive of a home clash ODI against England at Malahide on the horizon. All the guys will be wanting to stake their claim for a place in that squad.
“It promises to be quite a summer for Irish cricket with not only the high profile ODI’s, but we’re also co-hosting the T20 World Cup Qualifiers. There’s plenty of cricket to be played and this match gives the players a chance to impress.
Ireland A Squad
John Mooney (capt) (North County), Peter Chase (Malahide), Chris Dougherty (CIYMS), Andrew McBrine (Donemana), Graeme McCarter (Coleraine), Lee Nelson (Waringstown), Stuart Poynter (wkt) (Durham), David Rankin (Bready), Eddie Richardson (North County), Greg Thompson (Waringstown), Stuart Thompson (Eglinton), Craig Young (Bready).
Support Staff: Pete Johnston(Coach), Brendan Connor (S&C), Gavin Craig (Manager), Chris Siddell (Asst Manager).
MCC Squad:
W.J. House (capt), B. Frazer, M.A. Beard, W.A. MacVicar, W.W. Lee, C.T. Peploe, G.G. Arblaster (wkt), A. Kennedy, J.R. Cutt, T.W.W. Rash, T.H. Kopelman
Yes
Connaught
