Ireland Wolves is the chosen name for Cricket Ireland’s new joint Academy and A team. The side will play for the first time in 2017 against both county and international opposition, before rounding off the year with a three-week tour of a Full Member country.
Cricket Ireland Performance Director Richard Holdsworth explained the rationale behind the team’s new identity.
“The new name is simply to allow the national selectors greater flexibility in the team they select depending on the opposition,” said Holdsworth.
“We do not feel it is appropriate to call a team ‘Ireland A’ unless it is our next best XI players outside the national team. However there are times when we would rather play more of a developmental side if the opposition is a little weaker.
“This new name fits well with the culture we are trying to create in the national programme, and gives greater flexibility in selection.”
Cricket Ireland have also unveiled the 2017 intake for The Shapoorji Pallonji Cricket Ireland Academy. There will be no fewer than 34 players in its ranks next year, with 12 included in the senior section, and 22 in the emerging group (15 boys and 7 girls).
Pete Johnston, Acting National Academy and Performance Manager will lead the 12-man senior academy squad. The ambitious programme for the squad includes a game against a Bangladesh XI to help them prepare for the tri-nation ODI series in Dublin, a 3-day match against Scotland A, three-day and T20 clashes with County 2nd XI’s and an autumn tour.
In addition there will be training camps at the new European Cricket Centre at La Manga, which will also host a camp for the Emerging Academy Group under the tutelage of former Irish international Ryan Eagleson.
Johnston is relishing the opportunity to mould the next generation of Irish stars in perhaps the most exciting period in the country’s history.
“I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to help shape the new Academy structure and work with our emerging and senior players,” said Johnston.
“In keeping with Cricket Ireland’s strategic pillar of producing winning teams, the development of these players through appropriate training and meaningful fixtures will act as the rocks upon which they build towards being successful professional Irish cricketers of the future.
“The Senior Academy is now a finishing school for our ‘next cabs off the rank’ while Ryan Eagleson will continue to develop our emerging talent. The players in both squads have already impressed me with their hunger and desire to sacrifice and commit to Academy training.
“They began training around a month ago and there have already been two very successful Academy weekends that consisted of video analysis, yoga, character profiling, leadership and team values.
“The onus has been bestowed upon these players to push performance up and drive new benchmarks, be that in fitness, skills, nutrition, lifestyle or any of the other aspects required. I have no doubt that they are capable of this and will be supported with the appropriate resources required.
“It is the start of an exciting journey for all the players as they strive to establish themselves within the pack, firstly as Wolves and then as capped Irish cricketers.”
Shapoorji Pallonji Cricket Ireland Academy
Senior Group (12):
Rory Anders (Phoenix/Leinster Lightning), Adam Dennison (Waringstown/Northern Knights), Tyrone Kane (Merrion/Leinster Lightning), Josh Little (Pembroke/Leinster Lightning), James McCollum (Waringstown/Northern Knights), Robert McKinley (Instonians/Northern Knights), David Rankin (Bready/NW Warriors), James Shannon (Instonians/Northern Knights), Simmi Singh (YMCA/Leinster Lightning), Nathan Smith (Instonians/Northern Knights), Jack Tector (YMCA/Leinster Lightning), Lorcan Tucker (Pembroke/Leinster Lightning).
Emerging Group – (15):
Andrew Austin (Bready/NW Warriors), Jack Carson (Waringstown), Varun Chopra (Coleraine), Stephen Doheny (Rush), JJ Garth (Pembroke), Aaron Gillespie (Strabane/NW Warriors), Jamie Grassi (North County/Leinster Lightning), Fionn Hand (North County), Graeme Kennedy (Ballyspallen/NW Warriors), Sam Murphy (YMCA), Max Neville (Merrion), Neil Rock (Rush), Harry Tector (YMCA), Morgan Topping (Waringstown), Fiachra Tucker (Pembroke).
There are also seven girls in the National Academy Emerging Group who will be announced in due course.
