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Ulster Bank has announced a two year extension to its sponsorship of the Ulster Schools Cricket Cup at the draw for the opening rounds of next summer's competition.
Eight schools have receive a bye into the second round with holders Royal Belfast Academical Institution enjoying a home tie against either Bangor Grammar School or Lurgan College.
Only one second round game will feature two seeded teams with last year's runners up Wallace High School making the short journey to Friends School in a Lisburn derby.
The first round draw is:
A: RBAI Seconds v Limavady Grammar School
B: Sullivan Upper v Down High School
C: Bangor GS v Lurgan College
D: Antrim GS v Grosvenor GS
E: Carrickfergus GS v Belfast High School
F: Regent House v Campbell College
G: Royal School Armagh v Strabane Academy
Second round:
A v Ballymena Academy
B v Belfast Royal Academy
RBAI v C
D v Methodist College Belfast
Coleraine GS v E
F v Foyle College
Ballyclare High School v G
Friends School v Wallace High School

Annual Christmas Quiz
It is ironic and somewhat sad that the winner of our Christmas Quiz was the late Davy Holmes with close to 100%.
I have retained his email on 28 December because I still remain in disbelief at the sudden passing, as like everyone else in local cricket, we expected him to live for many years. His bubbly personality will live forever.
In memory of Davy a donation will be made to the NI Chest, Heart and Stroke.

Mark Hawthorne umpiring the SA - Bangladesh playoff and described as ‘from Ireland’. The next remark by the commentator ‘it’s a long way from Tipperary to here’ shows that somebody hasn’t done their homework!!

EIGHT CITIES THROUGHOUT AUSTRALIA TO HOST ICC WORLD T20 2020
MCG to host women’s and men’s finals
The venues and host cities for the ICC World T20 2020, which will be hosted by Australia, were announced today at events throughout the country.
The eight Host Cities are Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Geelong, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
For the first time, the women’s and men’s competitions will be held as standalone events in the same host country and in the same year. This will give the best female and male cricketers respective opportunities to capture the attention of the country and the world. Women’s matches will run from 21 February to 8 March 2020 and the men’s matches will run from 18 October to 15 November 2020.
The world’s 10 best women’s teams and 16 best men’s team’s will come to Australia to battle it out for the ultimate prize in T20 cricket.

The annual Ulster Grasshoppers CC dinner was held last Saturday night at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Belfast.

An excellent evening was had by all and it was great to see so many people from different cricket clubs.
Wally Graham (CSNI CC) was installed as club President and Michael Foster (Lisburn CC) entertained the assembled with a superb speech.

Peter Wood (Cooke Collegians CC) generously donated a Don Bradman framed print, bat and autograph and from the ballot, £500 was raised in memory of Davy Holmes. The lucky winner was Andrew Rose (Instonians CC). The funds will be going to Chest, Heart & Stroke NI.

If anyone is interested in getting involved with the Ulster Grasshoppers CC as a player or tourist - a long weekend tour is scheduled for late September 2018 to Malta, Cyprus or Corfu - feel free to contact me on richard@finlaygrahamproperty.com.

Thanks
Ricky Finlay
Chairman

MRF Tyres ICC Player Rankings (as on 18 January, following the Centurion Test)
BATSMEN (top 20)
Rank (+/-) Player Team Points Avge Highest Rating
1 ( - ) Steve Smith Aus 947 63.75 947 v Eng at Sydney 2018
2 (+1) Virat Kohli Ind 900 53.51 900 v SA at Centurion 2018
3 (-1) Joe Root Eng 881 53.28 917 v Aus at Trent Bridge 2015
4 ( - ) Kane Williamson NZ 855 50.62 893 v Aus at Perth 2015
5 (+1) David Warner Aus 827 48.77 880 v NZ at Perth 2015
6 (-1) C Pujara Ind 814 51.09 888 v SL at Nagpur 2017
7 ( - ) Azhar Ali Pak 755 46.62 787 v Aus at Melbourne 2016
8 (+2) Hashim Amla SA 745 49.00 907 v Pak at Abu Dhabi 2013
9 (-1) D. Chandimal SL 743! 43.94 743 v Ind at Delhi 2017
10 (-1) Alastair Cook Eng 742 46.35 874 v Ind at Kolkata 2012
11 ( - ) Ross Taylor NZ 739 48.04 871 v Win at Hamilton 2013
12 (+2) Faf du Plessis SA 734! 46.33 734 v Ind at Centurion 2018
13 ( - ) AB de Villiers SA 732 50.46 935 v Aus at Port Elizabeth 2014
14 (+2) Dean Elgar SA 711 41.35 740 v NZ at Dunedin 2017
15 (+2) Jonny Bairstow Eng 692 39.12 772 v SA at Old Trafford 2017
16 (+2) Kraigg Brathwaite Win 690 37.43 701 v Eng at Headingley 2017
17 (+2) Usman Khawaja Aus 685 45.80 747 v Pak at Sydney 2017
18 (-6) Lokesh Rahul Ind 683* 42.41 761 v SL at Pallekele 2017
19 (+1) Shaun Marsh Aus 660! 40.87 660 v Eng at Sydney 2018
20 (-5) Quinton de Kock SA 659 41.02 802 v NZ at Hamilton 2017
BOWLERS (top 20)
Rank (+/-) Player Team Points Avge Highest Rating
1 (+1) James Anderson Eng 887 27.40 896 v Win at Lord's 2017
2 (-1) Kagiso Rabada SA 872 22.25 888 v Ind at Cape Town 2018
3 ( - ) Ravindra Jadeja Ind 853 23.73 899 v Aus at Ranchi 2017
4 (+1) Josh Hazlewood Aus 814 25.77 863 v Ind at Bengaluru 2017
5 (-1) R. Ashwin Ind 811 25.56 904 v Eng at Mumbai 2016
6 (+1) Rangana Herath SL 799 28.04 867 v Zim at Harare 2016
7 (-1) Vernon Philander SA 787 21.95 912 v Ind at Johannesburg 2013
8 ( - ) Neil Wagner NZ 784 27.87 785 v Win at Wellington 2017
9= ( - ) Nathan Lyon Aus 769 31.64 774 v Eng at Adelaide 2017
( - ) Mitchell Starc Aus 769 27.73 805 v Pak at Brisbane 2016
11 ( - ) Morne Morkel SA 764 28.24 776 v Aus at Cape Town 2011
12 ( - ) Dale Steyn SA 730 22.32 909 v Win at Centurion 2014
13 ( - ) Trent Boult NZ 725 28.56 825 v Eng at Lord's 2015
14 ( - ) Yasir Shah Pak 704 29.44 878 v Eng at Lord's 2016
15 ( - ) Stuart Broad Eng 683 29.33 880 v SA at Johannesburg 2016
16 ( - ) Tim Southee NZ 682 31.45 799 v Win at Jamaica 2014
17 (+2) M. Shami Ind 672! 29.86 672 v SA at Centurion 2018
18 ( - ) Shakib Al Hasan Ban 668 32.35 705 v Aus at Mirpur 2017
19 (-2) Keshav Maharaj SA 640* 26.78 695 v Zim at Port Elizabeth 2017
20 ( - ) Kemar Roach Win 612 29.42 774 v SA at
ALL-ROUNDERS (top five)
Rank (+/-) Player Team Points Highest Rating
1 ( - ) Shakib Al Hasan Ban 438 489 v Aus at Mirpur 2017
2 ( - ) Ravindra Jadeja Ind 399 438 v SL at Colombo
3 ( - ) R. Ashwin Ind 375 493 v Eng at Mohali 2016
4 ( - ) Ben Stokes Eng 358 /* 396 v Win at Lord's 2017
5 ( - ) Vernon Philander SA 316 376 v Aus at Cape Town 2014

KOHLI WINS SIR GARFIELD SOBERS TROPHY FOR ICC CRICKETER OF THE YEAR
· Smith declared ICC Test Cricketer of the Year
· Kohli also awarded ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year
· Hasan Ali wins ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year, while Rashid Khan scoops ICC Associate Cricketer of the Year award
· Chahal’s six for 25 vs England earns him ICC T20I Performance of the Year award
· Marais Erasmus wins David Shepherd Trophy for ICC Umpire of the Year for second successive year, Anya Shrubsole wins ICC Spirit of Cricket Award
· Fans select “Pakistan stun India to win the ICC Champions Trophy 2017” as their favourite moment of the year

ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year 2017 (in batting order):
1. Dean Elgar (South Africa)
2. David Warner (Australia)
3. Virat Kohli (captain) (India)
4. Steve Smith (Australia)
5. Cheteshwar Pujara (India)
6. Ben Stokes (England)
7. Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper) (South Africa)
8. Ravichandran Ashwin (India)
9. Mitchell Starc (Australia)
10. Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)
11. James Anderson (England)
ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year 2017 (in batting order):
1. David Warner (Australia)
2. Rohit Sharma (India)
3. Virat Kohli (captain) (India)
4. Babar Azam (Pakistan)
5. AB de Villiers (South Africa)
6. Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper) (South Africa)
7. Ben Stokes (England)
8. Trent Boult (New Zealand)
9. Hasan Ali (Pakistan)
10. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
11. Jasprit Bumrah (India)

Cricket Features Highly In Shortlisted Nominations for the 2018 Belfast Telegraph Awards
After an historical year for Cricket in 2017 it is great to see cricket feature highly in the shortlisted nominations for the prestigious Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards.
The Ireland Senior Men's team is shortlisted in the Platinum team of the year (full-time professional team) category following the historic confirmation in June of Ireland becoming an ICC full member with test status.
Waringstown Men's 1st XI has been shortlisted in the Gold team of the year (amateur team) category after their superb season winning four trophies including the Irish Cup, NCU Premier League, NCU T20 Cup and the Ulster Cup.
Ryan Eagleson, Ireland U19 Men's Head Coach has been shortlisted in the Manager / Coach of the year category after steering his young side to qualification for the ICC U19 World Cup, which is currently taking place in New Zealand.
James Shannon has been shortlisted for the Malcolm Brodie Player of the year award after an excellent season for the Northern Knights in the Interprovincial Series. Shannon's batting statistics showed what an outstanding talent he is finishing the season as the Tournament's top run scorer.
Congratulations to all shortlisted nominees in all of the categories. We look forward to what will be an excellent celebration of Sporting achievements in Northern Ireland at the gala dinner on Monday 29th January.
A full list of shortlisted nominees is available at the following link:
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/revealed-all-the-shortlisted-nominees-for-the-belfast-telegraph-sports-awards-36470554.html

News from the Ireland skipper-
Ireland captain William Porterfield, who will be bidding to play in his fourth ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, stated: “It’s going to be a really hard-fought tournament with nearly all the sides in with a genuine chance of qualification. There are certainly no 'gimmees' in the competition. It’s a pity there are only two places up for grabs.
“We are working hard in the build up to Zimbabwe. We’re currently in the middle of a tri-series with the UAE and Scotland, and we’ll have training camps in Spain and South Africa, where we have further matches planned before going to Zimbabwe.
“We’ve got a good record against the Windies, beating them in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, so we’ll take confidence from that. The Netherlands have got some big players back in recent times, so they'll be tough, while PNG are improving all the time.
“We will be at full strength for the competition, so hopefully if we play to our strengths we'll make it through to the United Kingdom in 2019 and our fourth straight World Cup.”
ABOUT THE ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
· The tournament started in 1979 and was known as the ICC Trophy until 2005
· Four Test sides, Bangladesh (1997), Ireland (2009), Sri Lanka (1979), and Zimbabwe (1982, 1986 and 1990), have previously won the tournament. Other winners are the Netherlands (2001), Scotland (2005 and 2014) and the United Arab Emirates (1994)
· The Netherlands and Papua New Guinea are the only sides who have featured in all tournaments since 1979
· For the 2018 event, the Windies, Ireland, the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea and winners of the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 make up Group A, while Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Scotland, Hong Kong and runners-up of the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 form Group B.
· Each side will play the other teams in their group once with the top three from the groups progressing to the Super Six stage.
· The teams each play three Super Six matches against the sides did not meet in the group stage. All points won in the groups will be carried over to the Super Six stage apart from those gained against the bottom two from each group.
· The finalists will both progress to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, whilst the Netherlands (ICC World Cricket League Championship winners) and the three highest finishing associate Members will earn ODI status for the next four years till 2022.
FOR MORE DETAILS CONTACT
Sami Ul Hasan
ICC Head of Media and Communications
Dubai Mobile - +971 50 452 8662
Email – sami.ulhasan@icc-cricket.com
Mary Godbeer
Media and Communications Officer- Development
Dubai Mobile: +971 56 545 8908
Email – mary.godbeer@icc-cricket.com

RE: Postponement of Premier and Senior Leagues Sponsor Launch Event – 17th January 2018
The Northern Cricket Union has postponed the Premier and Senior League Sponsor launch which was scheduled to take place on Wednesday 17th January. This decision has been taken as a mark of respect following the sad passing of David Holmes earlier this week. David’s funeral takes place on Tuesday 16th January. As many of you know David did so much valuable work promoting our sport and will be greatly missed. He would have had a significant role at the launch event and the Union feels that it is appropriate to postpone this event, which I am sure you will all understand.
A new date for the launch will be scheduled in due course and notification sent to clubs.
Bryan Milford
General Secretary
Northern Cricket Union

IRELAND CONFIRM INDIA MATCHES
Ireland will play India in two T20 internationals in Dublin in June. Both games will be held at Malahide, with the first encounter scheduled for Wednesday June 27 and the second match two days later on Friday June 29.
It will be the first time that the sides have met on Irish soil since they played an ODI in Belfast back in 2007.
The games will be the first T20 internationals for Ireland Head Coach Graham Ford, and the South African is relishing the prospect of pitting his wits against such high profile opposition.
“It’s fantastic news for the lads and fans alike,” said Ford. “The matches will of course be a huge challenge for the team, but what an opportunity for everyone to showcase their talents in front of a huge audience, both at the games and live on television.
“I’m sure the players will respond positively to the occasion with the added incentive of knowing eye-catching displays could result in a possible IPL contract.
“We haven’t played our best cricket in the format in recent years which is reflected in the rankings, but what better time to start climbing the ladder again. We have a number of players ideally suited to the short-form and on home soil it’s a great opportunity to cause a shock or two,” added Ford.
Cricket Ireland CEO Warren Deutrom was clearly delighted at securing the two-match series against one of the world’s cricketing superpowers.
“We are excited to welcome back India to Ireland for the first time in 11 years,” said Deutrom. “We are sure crowds will be keen to get a rare glimpse of some of the sport’s T20 superstars in the height of summer in Dublin.
“Cricket Ireland is most grateful to BCCI for its support in the midst of the team’s hectic schedule, and we look forward to working with them on similar opportunities in the future. In what is a signal year for us, we are also delighted to be working once again with Malahide CC and Fingal County Council who always help us put on a great show for players and fans alike.”
2018 is shaping up to be a busy and historic year for the Irish who start the year with a four-match ODI series against the UAE and Scotland this week.
They take part in the World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe in March, while May sees Ireland play Pakistan in their maiden men’s Test Match at Malahide from May 11-15.
Tickets for the matches are available on TicketMaster www.ticketmaster.ie

David's funeral will be held on Tuesday 16th January 2018 at 4pm at Roselawn.

David Holmes-A tribute
It is impossible to put into any sort of context the contribution that David Holmes has made to the promotion of NCU Cricket.
Winter and summer he worked tirelessly, a lot of it in his own time, to ensure that cricket was being kept at the forefront of the sports news agenda.
One of his great attributes was that he recognised that a club under 11's was every bit as important as the senior interprovincial team and he reported accordingly.
One look at twitter tells its own story – acknowledgements from every club in the union and from hundreds of individuals involved in Irish cricket.
Social media had become his medium. I was talking to him on Saturday night about two different projects he had been helping with, and he was speaking with such enthusiasm about the benefits the potential outcomes could provide for the promotion of the game.
It is rare in my involvement with local cricket that someone's passing from within the cricket community has been greeted with such shock – a mark of the esteem in which David was held.
David – We will all miss you, you have left an indelible mark on the game and a void that will be almost impossible to fill.
Alan Waite
Chairman
Northern Cricket Union

I'm sure like many others I'm shocked to hear the dreadful news that Davy Holmes has suddenly died. What a huge loss. His bubbly personality endeared him throughout Irish cricket.
More information will follow but our thoughts and prayers are with his family these difficult times.
Rest in Peace wee Davy.