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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.

Andrew White NCU Cricket Academy to Tour South Africa
Thirteen players have been named by the Northern Cricket Union (NCU) in their Andrew White Cricket Academy Squad to tour South Africa from 21st March until 5th April 2018.
During the winter the Andrew White Cricket Academy has combined indoor cricket training with the expertise and skill sets of other sports, namely boxing and football goalkeeping. The culmination of this year’s Academy will see the players tour the South African City of Cape Town where they will combine competitive fixtures and a high performance camp.
The aim of the Andrew White NCU Cricket Academy has always been to provide an environment that challenges the players in different aspects of their game, whether that be technical, tactical, mental, physical or psychologically. This has been done by taking the players outside their comfort zone to challenge the routine methods.
With this in mind the group selected is one with a mixed age profile, all of whom are seen as potential Senior Representative players of the future.
Coaching of this group will be led by Northern Knights Head Coach Simon Johnston and Ireland U19 & U17 Coach Nigel Jones who will also draw on local expertise, notably from the Gary Kirsten Academy.
Andrew White NCU Cricket Academy Tour Squad
• Luke Allison (Donacloney Mill)
• Jack Burton (Carrickfergus)
• Max Burton (Carrickfergus)
• Matthew Foster (CSNI)
• Alex Haggan (Carrickfergus)
• James Hunter (Instonians)
• Archie Johnston (CSNI)
• James Magee (Instonians)
• Jamie Magowan (Muckamore)
• James Metcalfe (Instonians)
• Olly Metcalfe (Instonians)
• Harry Warke (Carrickfergus)
• Aaron Wright (CSNI)
• Simon Johnston (Coach)
• Nigel Jones (Coach)
NCU Chairman Alan Waite will act as Tour Manger and will be accompanied by Vice-Chairman Sam Becket and Cricket Ireland president Brian Walsh, Director of NCU Representative Cricket.

Northern Cricket Union (NCU) - Regional Development Programme (2017-2018)
In September, as many local cricket clubs were putting their grounds to rest for the winter, the Northern Cricket Union were already embarking on their annual winter coaching programme (sponsored by PwC). The programme was revitalised in 2012, and since then, has gone from strength to strength each year.
Over 190 player nominations from over twenty clubs were received in response to invitations to attend a number of coaching sessions. These sessions were facilitated by more than twenty NCU coaches and volunteers, developing the cricketing skills of boys and girls ranging in age from Under 9 up to Under 15.
In total, in excess of 110 hours of coaching were delivered over a 10 week period on Sundays at the Ulster University sports campus at Jordanstown. The indoor 3G facility was utilised to develop agility and fielding skills, and the indoor sports hall to enhance batting and bowling disciplines.
Uel Graham, who co-ordinates the programme commented, ‘the commitment of both the players and parents over the winter period has been outstanding, and the enjoyment and learning at each age group has been there for all to see. Special thanks goes to the coaches and volunteers whose support is vital to the development of our youth programme’.
Brian Walsh, Director of Representative Cricket said, ‘We have made huge strides over the past five years especially with the young cricketers’ who have been in our system over that period, some of whom started at 7 and 8 years of age. We are again taking two young teams to Cape Town next March, including those in the ‘Andrew White Academy.’ This experience also helps immensely with their development and I would also like to congratulate all the coaches who have worked so hard with their groups. Lastly I would also like to acknowledge our chairman Alan Waite for his superb support and encouragement’.
There is a brief respite for the Christmas and New Year period, but the planning for 2018 is well advanced and the sessions will commence again on 14 January, running through to Easter. Additional plans are well advanced in relation to the summer programme.

On behalf of the Ulster Cricketer team best wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year in 2018.

Good luck with that idea Keith! Can’t see it catching on around the Ballygomartin Road or Queensway!

MINOR QUALIFYING CUP 2018
1st Round 5 May
A Instonians VI v CIYMS V
B Monaghan II v Derriaghy IV
C Donaghcloney Mill IV v BISC III
D Cregagh III v CIYMS IV
2nd Round 2 June
E Templepatrick III v Saintfield III
F D v Muckamore V
G Muckamore VI v Victoria II
H A v C
I Dunmurry II v Templepatrick IV
J Cliftonville Academy IV v North Down IV
K Larne II v B
L Laurelvale III v Instonians V

Just wanting to wish everyone a belated happy christmas and a new year to come. This so to the people who run this site and all the contributors to all cricket on the island
The NCU were quick of the mark with their fixture lists this year and all other unions should take note on this as it gives players time to organise their scheduales.
PS Why not make Friday the 11th of May a green and gold day were everybody wears something in these colours to celebrate Irelands first day of Test Match Cricket