LEINSTER LIGHTNING SQUAD FOR IP20 FESTIVAL CONFIRMED

The squad for the Sherwin O’Riordan sponsored Leinster Lightning has been confirmed for this week’s season-opening IP20 Festival, hosted at Pembroke Cricket Club in Sydney Parade.

Head coach Andre Botha has been able to name as close to a full strength side as the Lightning have had for the past two seasons, with only Josh Little absent as he continues his stint at the IPL.

This means the squad is captained by George Dockrell, and contains Irish internationals in the shape of Lorcan Tucker, Harry Tector, Andy Balbirnie, Barry McCarthy and Fionn Hand.

The squad sees one change for Thursday, as Gavin Hoey will be replaced by Amish Sidhu, as Hoey sits an exam.

Balbriggan, Clontarf, Merrion, Pembroke, Phoenix and Terenure are the clubs represented across the squad for this week’s fixtures.

Batting options selected in the squad aside from those already mentioned feature Terenure’s Séamus Lynch, Pembroke’s Tim Tector and Balbriggan’s Chris de Freitas, whilst Merrion skipper Sam Harbinson is the all-rounder in the squad.

With the ball, seamers Reuben Wilson and Olly Riley are selected and will support McCarthy and Hand. Whilst the spin will come from options including Hoey, Dockrell, Sidhu and Harry Tector.

Coach Andre Botha is looking forward to getting the season underway with a strong squad;
“We are really excited to get the season up and running in Pembroke this week, we had a really good couple of performances in Sydney Parade last season at the end of the T20 campaign when unfortunately the competition was already beyond our grasp, but being able to stamp the Lightning brand of cricket on the competition was really good from the guys.

Obviously it’s great to have almost a full complement of players to select from this week, and hopefully everyone selected puts their best foot forward. T20 is the type of format where several of our players thrive and if we perform to the best of our abilities this week, it should stand us in a good position for this competition going forward”

The Lightning open the week with a fixture against the Munster Reds early on Wednesday, before two 3:30pm starts against the North West Warriors on Thursday, and Northern Knights on Friday.

SHERWIN O’RIORDAN LEINSTER LIGHTNING SQUAD

George Dockrell (Phoenix) Captain
Lorcan Tucker (Pembroke) Wicket-Keeper
Andy Balbirnie (Pembroke)
Chris de Freitas (Balbriggan)
Fionn Hand (Clontarf)
Sam Harbinson (Merrion)
Gavin Hoey* (Pembroke)
Séamus Lynch (Terenure)
Barry McCarthy (Pembroke)
Olly Riley (Pembroke)
Amish Sidhu** (Phoenix)
Harry Tector (Pembroke)
Tim Tector (Pembroke)
Reuben Wilson (Clontarf)

*Wednesday and Friday only

**Thursday only