...but matches aren't won on paper and there will certainly be a few twists and turns before the champagne is popped in Dublin. There are many variables-not least the Irish weather and when you add availability, fitness, focus and form then perhaps the outcome is not as straightforward as it seems.
Selection is one of the great pastimes in modern sport and it has been greatly expanded through the Internet. We now have a wonderful array of armchair experts who not only make National Coach Phil Simmons's job easy, but have now switched their focus to the Interpro Championship and can not only pick the best teams, but can predict the outcomes with absolute certainty. Thankfully most of them are far removed from the real world and real people who know the form of their players and what they expect from them pick the squads. The website predictors live in their own fantasy world and there's nothing wrong with that as long as we don't take them seriously.
The selectors have done a good job selecting the Northern Knights squad. Being able to select 22 players has allowed them to spread their net far and wide and include young and old, experienced and inexperienced, players available for Cricket Ireland and players not available. Of course, the strength within the NCU determines the quality, and while the Northern Knights may not contain too many of the current Cricket Ireland squad, that opens up the door of opportunity for fringe players. The purpose of this competition is to establish a 1st Class Competition to augment the Youth Programme and provide a stepping-stone to full international selection. This is a requirement of the ICC if Ireland is to attain test status, so the stakes are as high off the field as on it with this long-awaited competition.
The NCU has made the most of its assets and utilised the vast experience of Andrew White as captain and Eugene Moleon as the player/coach. Gavin Rogers will be a useful Assistant Coach having plenty of experience with North Down and thankfully he has encouraged his club captain Ryan Haire to be involved. Arguably the best local batsman in Ulster cricket, Ryan's international career has not reflected his ability and hopefully this competition will ensure that other talented players do not suffer the same fate. Nigel Jones will also be a useful asset and while he has retired from the international squad he'll be totally motivated and committed to the Northern Knights' campaign. This squad has plenty of talent and nothing to lose. The experienced players are very capable and the coming players have a wonderful opportunity to make their mark again the big names. All to play for and nothing to lose seems an appropriate overview.
The inclusion of overseas professionals remains one of the most controversial issues. Admittedly their inclusion will raise the standard, but since they won't be eligible to play for Ireland the critics argue what is the point? Well, the standard of the competition is the point, and winning ICC recognition right now is a bigger priority than seeing a couple of fringe players. Fortunately wise counsel has prevailed and both arguments have been accommodated with the possible inclusion of two overseas professionals. This should strengthen the hand of the Northern Knights as a player like Obus Pienaar could seriously upset the proverbial apple cart. He's as explosive as Kevin O'Brien and that's high pedigree in the big hitting stakes.
Maybe the confident Leinster Lightning and the posturing Northern Warriors will not have it all their own way after all?
Finally, congratulations to Gordon Scott on being appointed the Team Administrative Officer. One of the unsung backroom men in local cricket Gordon has vast experience in administrative roles in sport and as a former senior cricketer he knows the game from every perspective.
The Northern Knights may not be the bookies' favourites right now, but forget about what's down on paper as this script has yet to be written.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
