Tyrone Kane has been a part of the Leinster Lightning squad since the re-introduction of Inter-Provincial cricket in 2013, while for Fionn Hand, stepping up to this level is a much more recent experience.
Both however, will be chomping at the bit to make the final Lightning XI that faces Middlesex in the Smartwater Summer Smash at Pembroke Cricket Club on Friday June 21st.
“It’s an absolutely amazing achievement from Cricket Leinster to get a fixture like this for the centenary season,” said Kane. “They’ve put everything in place that they possibly could to make it a day to remember in Irish cricket history.”
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Both players are keen to test themselves against the English county side and determined that the home team will put on a good show.
“The English system is strong with lots of teams and they get to play week in week out at county level but as a team, we’ve a strong side in all departments and we look forward to testing ourselves,” said YMCA youngster Fionn Hand who has spent time at Queen’s College in Taunton.
As well as the on-field entertainment, there will be plenty to keep the whole family enthralled at Sydney Parade on the longest day of the year. On the field the Lightning players will be looking to rate themselves against those from across the water, while all around the Pembroke grounds there’ll be bouncy castles, ice-creams, bbq’s, DJ, entertainment around the grounds and much more.
“What a great opportunity to bring your family and kids. With the bouncy castles, the ice-creams, Cricket Leinster have left no stone unturned in making it an amazing day,” said Kane.
Hand too is hopeful of a good game on Friday to take advantage of the over 1,000 tickets already sold.
“A good event like this gives us a chance as a province to sell the game and put it forward to attract more people to our sport. We’ve made a good start to the season and we’ll be looking to push on, get better and show we can compete at the county level.”
Middlesex have some very familiar faces to Irish fans in the squad with 5 internationals travelling to Dublin on Friday night. Paul Stirling however will be the real draw-card and Kane is looking forward to facing his Irish international team-mate.
“It’s great to have Stirlo (Stirling) coming over, he’s a fan favourite wherever he goes, but particularly with Irish crowds but to see them in a different jersey to the Irish one will be interesting.
“All the Leinster Lightning boys are raring to go, hopefully for our sake we can get Stirlo out early, which isn’t as easy as it sounds!”
A massive occasion awaits on Friday June 21st when the Lightning host Middlesex in the Smartwater Summer Smash. Experienced squad members and newer call-ups alike are excited at the prospect of taking on an English county.
You don’t want to miss this cracking celebration of Cricket Leinster’s centenary year! Final chance to get your tickets here now.