Cricket Ireland today announced the squads for next Sunday's Inter Regional game, which will be played at Bready in the NW starting at 11am.
The North squad includes six full internationals, and five players with Ireland A experience. The only newcomer to the representative set-up is the New Zealand born all-rounder Ben McCord, who plays for CIYMS in the NCU. The side is captained by the experienced Andrew White, who has no fewer than 189 caps to his name.
Trent Johnston leads the Southern squad, which like the Northern squad also contains six full internationals. Former Ireland Under 19 international Ben Ackland is rewarded for his prolific early season form with Cambridge University, while Ireland A internationals Conor Mullen and Eddie Richardson are also included.
There are three new faces in their 12, with Merrion's Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup winning captain John Anderson being included, along with Tom Fisher of Railway Union and The Hills opening bowler Max Sorensen.
Players who weren't available included Kevin O'Brien, as he is about to sign a deal with an English county, while both Andrew Balbirnie and Graeme McCarter have exam commitments. George Dockrell also wasn't considered, although he is close to full fitness following his dislocated shoulder sustained during the World Cup.
Ireland coach Phil Simmons said: "This is a great opportunity for players to stake their claim in the international squad. There are two ODI's coming up against Pakistan at the end of the month and there are places up for grabs. I'm pleased with the composition of both squads and it shows that we are now starting to get a bit of depth in Irish cricket."
The North squad is as follows:
Andrew White (Capt) (Instonians), Peter Connell (CIYMS) Chris Dougherty (Brigade), Phil Eaglestone (Strabane), Nigel Jones (CSN), Rory McCann (Instonians), Ben McCord (CIYMS), Niall McDonnell (Strabane) James Shannon (Instonians), Paul Stirling (Carrickfergus/Middlesex), Stuart Thompson (Limavady) Craig Young (Bready/Sussex).
The Southern squad is:
Trent Johnston (Capt) (Railway Union), Ben Ackland (Merrion), John Anderson (Merrion), Alex Cusack (Clontarf), Allan Eastwood (Pembroke), Tom Fisher (Railway Union), John Mooney (North County), Conor Mullen (Railway Union), Andrew Poynter (Clontarf), Eddie Richardson (North County), Max Sorensen (The Hills), Albert van der Merwe (YMCA).