I thought that one big plus in 2024 was the performance of the Emerging Ireland squad vs their West Indies counterparts. Having been outplayed in the Caribbean in 2023, they completely turned the tables round, with many players contributing to the result.
One positive is the improvement in spin bowling, with Matt Humphreys and Gavin Hoey now in the senior squad. And in the pace department Tom Mayes and Liam McCarthy did well enough to suggest they could step up if needed, which could well happen given the ages of our front-line seamers. We also hope that Reuben Wilson and Olly Riley will get their chances in a couple of years.
Worries about opening batsmen have eased somewhat after Jake Egan and Chris de Freitas shaped well against the West Indies quicks, dealing ok with the short stuff. The middle order looks settled, but Morgan Topping, Cade Carmichael and Stephan Doheny are available if replacements are needed.
He was not part of the emerging squad, and I had never heard of Melvin Deveraj until this season. He took 32 wickets at under 12 apiece for Merrion in the Leinster Premiership. He did well for Leinster when he got a late inter-pro call up. Is he a contender for the national team?
I just hope that these players are among these given a chance with the Wolves this year. I reckon the talent is there if the opportunities are also there.
My other hopes for the year include improved and faster wickets, fixing the inter-pro with multi-day red ball cricket (Ulster vs Leinster?), and a breakthrough to the national squads by players of South Asian origin. I note that 8 out of 18 in the emerging squad that beat West Indies were born outside Ireland, but none from Asia judging by the names.
Agreed on that particular Emerging series. I suppose the problem at the minute isn't so much the talent at that level, but how they can get a pathway to the senior side. One emerging series plus one wolves tour a year isn't really enough to force your way in. Especially when the senior coaches quite clearly don't see the interpros as a high enough standard to gauge readiness for international cricket. That's where collaboration between youth and senior staff has to be excellent to identify characteristics that might suit the step up, but from what I can tell, that's not there at the moment. Re Deveraj, I don't know a lot about him but I'm not sure he's qualified in any case. I'm quite confident there won't be multiple red ball first class games, maybe just one or two as warm ups for a Test match should one take place (similar situation to last year). The south Asian question is one I've been looking into for a while. It's an issue for sure and CI is aware of it.
I thought that one big plus in 2024 was the performance of the Emerging Ireland squad vs their West Indies counterparts. Having been outplayed in the Caribbean in 2023, they completely turned the tables round, with many players contributing to the result.
One positive is the improvement in spin bowling, with Matt Humphreys and Gavin Hoey now in the senior squad. And in the pace department Tom Mayes and Liam McCarthy did well enough to suggest they could step up if needed, which could well happen given the ages of our front-line seamers. We also hope that Reuben Wilson and Olly Riley will get their chances in a couple of years.
Worries about opening batsmen have eased somewhat after Jake Egan and Chris de Freitas shaped well against the West Indies quicks, dealing ok with the short stuff. The middle order looks settled, but Morgan Topping, Cade Carmichael and Stephan Doheny are available if replacements are needed.
He was not part of the emerging squad, and I had never heard of Melvin Deveraj until this season. He took 32 wickets at under 12 apiece for Merrion in the Leinster Premiership. He did well for Leinster when he got a late inter-pro call up. Is he a contender for the national team?
I just hope that these players are among these given a chance with the Wolves this year. I reckon the talent is there if the opportunities are also there.
My other hopes for the year include improved and faster wickets, fixing the inter-pro with multi-day red ball cricket (Ulster vs Leinster?), and a breakthrough to the national squads by players of South Asian origin. I note that 8 out of 18 in the emerging squad that beat West Indies were born outside Ireland, but none from Asia judging by the names.
Agreed on that particular Emerging series. I suppose the problem at the minute isn't so much the talent at that level, but how they can get a pathway to the senior side. One emerging series plus one wolves tour a year isn't really enough to force your way in. Especially when the senior coaches quite clearly don't see the interpros as a high enough standard to gauge readiness for international cricket. That's where collaboration between youth and senior staff has to be excellent to identify characteristics that might suit the step up, but from what I can tell, that's not there at the moment. Re Deveraj, I don't know a lot about him but I'm not sure he's qualified in any case. I'm quite confident there won't be multiple red ball first class games, maybe just one or two as warm ups for a Test match should one take place (similar situation to last year). The south Asian question is one I've been looking into for a while. It's an issue for sure and CI is aware of it.
Good honest journalism Nathan, I enjoy reading. Thank you
Good stuff Nathan! All the best for 2025.
Good read, enjoyed it
Look forward to more of it in 2025
Happy New Year Nathan and to all your subscribers.