Inter Regional squads named

CRICKET:THE NATIONAL selectors look set to mine the talent of a second generation of overseas-born players to make Ireland their home after announcing the North and South squads for next weekend's opening Inter Regional game at Bready.

With Andre Botha having announced his retirement last week and Trent Johnston setting next year’s World Twenty20 as his swan-song, coach Phil Simmons and his three regional selectors will have a look at the likes of hard-hitting Railway Union opener Tom Fisher and The Hills’ all-rounder Max Sorensen, who are both named in a 12-man South XI squad, that will be captained by Johnston.

New Zealand-born Fisher has had a fine start to the season with his unbeaten 94 leading Railway to a fine seven-wicket victory over Clontarf at Castle Avenue on Saturday.

Other new names are the Merrion duo of John Anderson and Ben Ackland, who has scored two first-class half-centuries for Cambridge against county opposition in the universities competition.

Kevin O’Brien will not be in action for the South XI as he is expected to finalise a move to Gloucestershire, while George Dockrell is not fully fit after injuring his shoulder in the World Cup. Pembroke’s Andrew Balbirnie and Gloucestershire’s Graeme McCarter were not considered due to exam commitments.

The North XI includes CIYMS’ New Zealand-born all-rounder Ben McCord, while his club-mate Peter Connell will be looking to force his way back into the international reckoning ahead of the two One-Day Internationals against Pakistan at the end of the month.