DUBLIN – Cricket Ireland on Wednesday announced the Ireland Wolves squad for the upcoming 3-match series against Netherlands
‘A’ team in May with selectors and coaches looking forward to the series as key preparation for the international series ahead.

The squad :

Harry Tector (captain), Curtis Campher, Peter Chase, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Shane Getkate, Graeme McCarter, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, William Porterfield, Neil Rock, Tim Tector, Ben White, Craig Young.

The three 50-over matches are scheduled as follows:

10 May 2021: Ireland Wolves v Netherlands A – 1st ODM (Oak Hill, starting 10.45am)

12 May 2021: Ireland Wolves v Netherlands A – 2nd ODM (Oak Hill, starting 10.45am)

13 May 2021: Ireland Wolves v Netherlands A – 3rd ODM (Oak Hill, starting 10.45am)

The games will be livestreamed and livescored through the Cricket Ireland match centre. Fans are currently not permitted at the matches in the Republic of Ireland due to current government restrictions.

Andrew White, Chair of National Men’s Selectors, said: “The importance of the Ireland Wolves is not just the experience it gives our emerging talent, but also the flexibility it provides for those on the fringes of international selection, allowing them much-needed game time ahead of a busy few months for the senior international squad.”

“The challenging Bangladesh A series earlier this year demonstrated the value in the Wolves programme for players who are involved. It is an essential bridge between domestic and international cricket and not only an on-field learning experience, but an important avenue in preparing players for life as an international cricketer.”

“Netherlands A at home will obviously be a completely different environment to Bangladesh A in the subcontinent, but no less an opportunity for players to use the fixtures to push their game forward and ensure they are firmly on the radar of national selectors.”

“I think we have managed to name a squad that delivers on several levels – it identifies and exposes emerging talent to an international cricket scenario, it provides several fringe players an opportunity to stake a claim for senior international honours, and it gives much needed game time for a number of players who will play instrumental roles in the internationals this summer. With nine World Cup Super League matches coming up over the next three months, and a T20 World Cup ahead in October, this is set to be a big year for men’s cricket and the Wolves programme is a key part of that schedule.”

Pete Johnston, Head Coach of Ireland Wolves, said: “It’s great news that this short series has been given the green light to go ahead in a bubble environment. While there is a lot of experience in the side with William Porterfield and George Dockrell, who are looking to force their way back into the senior team, we also have a number of players who are relatively new in making the step up to senior international cricket and these games will provide another valuable experience for them.”

“It is also great to see 18 year old batter and Academy player Tim Tector come into the squad for his first full Wolves series following off the back of his recent List A debut for Leinster Lightning. The selectors have also recognised Graham McCarter’s steady performances in the Inter-Provincials over recent years and feel he has earned this opportunity.”

“The more opportunities we can provide at Wolves, Inter-Provincial and Academy level, the more competitive selection becomes at senior level and having a broader base of players challenging various roles is absolutely key for having an Irish team that can consistently perform well on the world stage. It is expected that the Netherlands will bring a strong side and Oak Hill has been an excellent venue for the Wolves in recent times, providing some excellent games of cricket, and we look forward to getting back down there. The key to having a successful series will be based on sticking to the processes required to put together complete team performances. With Performance Analysis giving us more and more information, these days averages don’t tell the complete story and executing in critical moments is now measured and highly valued. It is as much about how we go about doing what is required in any given situation as it is about what we do.

“It has been a challenging winter with only elite (professional/semi-professional) players being allowed to train, so I do expect as the season goes on that we will see many more fringe players pushing selection for higher honours.”