CRICKET:THE IRELAND Under-19 side open their World Cup qualifying campaign against the USA at Castle Avenue in Clontarf this morning (10.45), the first of a gruelling, nine-game schedule over 13 days as they bid to earn one of the six places on offer.
It is a much-changed squad from that which competed in the 2010 World Cup in New Zealand, with just two of that side available as they bid to make it to next year’s final in Australia.
Although age restrictions are the main reason for the turnover, Ireland have also lost one of their most promising talents to professional rugby after opening bowler and former Clongowes number eight Jordan Coghlan signed up for the Leinster Academy squad.
Although head coach Jeremy Bray has only two of the last World Cup squad, he can count on the all-round ability of senior international George Dockrell, who will captain the side.
Shane Getkate is the other returnee. He has made an incredible recovery after his heart stopped four times while playing for the Warwickshire Under-19 side just five weeks ago. The prompt action of the county’s medical staff allowed him to recuperate quickly, and he played in the two European Regional Challenge Series games against Scotland earlier in the week.
Dockrell enjoyed considerable success with both bat and ball in the fixtures, taking eight wickets in total and hitting an unbeaten 66 in the second clash.
After his heroics at the recent World Cup, Dockrell, who celebrates his 19th birthday today, is looking to use that experience in navigating Ireland through a tough qualifier.
“I learned a lot at the World Cup, but it’s quite different my role with that team compared to with this team,” he said. “It’s great to come back and play with the guys I have played with through all the age groups, to be able to share that experience.”
Ireland were forced to make a late change, with Waringstown all-rounder Josh Hall replacing Instonians’ Sam Shannon, who has tendonitis in his knee.
In what is expected to be the last qualifying campaign of this nature, all 10 teams will play each other in a round robin basis over 13 days, with the early stages played in Leinster, before moving to the northwest next Tuesday.
IRELAND UNDER-19 SQUAD: G Dockrell (Somerset, capt), R Adair (Holywood), Adam Berry (Lisburn), S Campbell (Coleraine), A Coughlan (North County), S Gekate (North County), J Hall (Waringstown), N Hodgins (Civil Service North, wkts), R Hunter (Donemana), H MacDonnell (Leinster), A McBrine (Donemana), G McCarter (Fox Lodge/Gloucestershire), B McCarthy (Pembroke), J van der Merwe (Muckamore).
IRELAND FIXTURES (all games 10.45): Today v USA, Castle Avenue; Tomorrow v Afghanistan, North County CC, Balrothery; Sunday: v Scotland, The Hills CC, Milverton, Skerries; Monday, Aug 1st v Kenya, Leinster CC, Rathmines; Wednesday, Aug 3rd v Vanuata, Coleraine; Friday, Aug 5th v Canada, Limavady; Saturday, Aug 6th v Nepal, Bready; Sunday, Aug 7th v Namibia, Strabane; Tuesday, Aug 9th v Papua New Guinea.
