DUBLIN– In Cricket news, George Dockrell, an Ireland Men's international, has been awarded a full-time playing contract by Cricket Ireland.
Dockrell, 29, made his senior men's debut in 2010 and has since been a regular member of the squad as a left-arm orthodox spinner and lower-order batsman. Dockrell has worked hard on developing his batting, re-fashioning himself into a hard-hitting middle-order batsman, after being dropped from the senior side in 2020 and losing his full-time central contract for the 2021 season (Dockrell was handed a part-time retainer agreement).
Dockrell has been unstoppable with the bat at Inter-Provincial level this year, scoring 524 runs at 74.86 in 12 white-ball games, including a century and five half-centuries, all at a strike rate of 98.13.
Dockrell's resurgence in domestic form is now transferring to the international scene, with his 45 off 23 balls in the second One-Day International against South Africa last month a highlight of the rebounding Dockrell's domestic form now translating to the international stage.
Andrew White, Chair of National Men’s Selectors, said,“George’s professionalism and dedication to his game has never been in question, however when he lost his full-time contract Graham Ford and the selectors gave him a challenge to re-invent his game and his role in the set up.”
“We knew he had the batting potential to make it as a middle-order batter, and it has been no surprise to any of us that he accepted the challenge and has essentially turned himself into one of the best and most dynamic middle-order batters in the Ireland squad. His performances this year have been a credit to how he has handled himself – we look forward to watching George continue on this journey, and wish him all the best moving forward.”
The men's team's next match will be against the visiting Zimbabwe squad in late August. Prior to the T20 World Cup in October, the two nations will play five T20 Internationals and three World Cup Super League One-Day Internationals.
Also read: Ireland's Paul Stirling to join The Hundred party
