The 2018 Hanley Energy Inter-provincial (IP) series opener between Leinster Lightning and North West Union Warriors will serve as a crucial final multi-day match exposure to Ireland national squad members before their debut test against Pakistan starting on 11th May.
The 01st – 03rd May game to be played at Pembroke Cricket Club will see Ireland captain William Porterfield turning out for North West Union with paceman Boyd Rankin also part of the squad.
North West Union Warriors Squad:
Andy McBrine (Captain), William Porterfield, David Barr, David Rankin, Aaron Gillespie, Niall O’Brien, Stuart Thompson, Ross Allen, Steve Lazars, Craig Young, David Scanlon & Boyd Rankin
The Leinster Lighting squad consists of most Ireland national squad members as they look to put in some hard yards before the major challenge of facing Pakistan bowlers in home conditions at Malahide for their maiden Test match from May 11th – 15th, 2018.
Leinster Lighting Squad:
George Dockrell (Captain), Tyrone Kane, Ed Joyce, John Anderson, Lorcan Tucker, Andrew Balbirnie, Jack Tector, Simi Singh, Andrew Sheridan, Sean Terry, Peter Chase & Kevin O’Brien
All match days will see the start of play at 11:00 Irish local time. All national squad members played two 2-day Inter-squad matches in the past week and this week in preparation for the Test match and Head coach Graham Ford will further get the opportunity to watch the players in red-ball cricket before the National selectors announce the final squad for the Test.
Tim Murtagh, Paul Stirling and Gary Wilson, currently playing for Middlesex & Derbyshire respectively in the English County Championships, will join the squad prior to the Test.
