DUBLIN –In latest Cricket news, Cricket Ireland on Wednesday confirmed the return of youth inter-provincial competition after a suspension to the fixtures in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A Girls Under-17s series will also be played for the first time as a new addition to the youth programme this year.

The competitions format will change this year to align with current pandemic restrictions, with the normal ‘festival week’ format making way for a series modelled on the senior inter-provincial competition.

 With 32 games being played across the four provinces in July, it guarantees to be an exciting month as young cricketers get back to provincial competition at Under-15 and Under-17 levels.

Albert van der Merwe, National Talent Pathway Manager, said: “It is exciting that so many young boys and girls will be able to compete against each other again. As we are still cautious in terms of the ongoing pandemic, we cannot have the traditional festival-type tournaments this year, but we have worked hard to facilitate a series of competitive matches that was so sorely missed last year.”

 “I am particularly excited about the new girls’ series. It is a welcome addition, and I am hoping it will go some way in creating excitement and a pathway for girls in all the provinces. Off the back of the release of Cricket Ireland’s Women’s & Girls Cricket Action Plan and the great visibility of the senior women’s successful series against Scotland and the Super Series, we’re pleased that we can continue to shine a light on women’s and girls’ cricket.”

“A big debt of gratitude must go to clubs around the country and their willingness to host these games. Their support, as well as the Provincial Unions, will ensure that these boys and girls have a great cricketing experience they so dearly missed last year.”