Warriors selected for Inter-Pro Series

The Inter-Provincial committee have been quick to point out that the squad is neither final nor exhaustive but that consideration had taken place at a time when it was believed that the Inter-Pro series was to get under way at the end of this month.

However the Warriors don’t start their campaign until next month when they face Leinster, in Dublin, on Tuesday, May 14.

There are few surprises in the 17-man panel however the role of wicket-keeper batsman is obviously open to debate with the likes of Ricky-Lee Dougherty, David Rankin and Gareth McKeegan all named.

Chris Pierce from Eglinton will welcome the chance to stake a claim in the squad, while the inclusion of new Ardmore recruit Andrew Riddles shows that the selectors will consider players from outside the Premier League.

Graeme McCarter is included in the line-up as well although it is as yet unclear how his County committments may affect his availability.

The former Killyclooney and Fox Lodge bowler is among at least four of the panel who won’t be available for the get-together later in the week.

The 17-man squad in full is as follows: David Barr (Bready), Andrew Britton (Brigade), Scott Campbell (Coleraine), Peter Connell (Strabane), Ricky-Lee Dougherty (Donemana), Ryan Hunter (Brigade), Iftikhar Hussain (Fox Lodge), Andrew McBrine (Donemana), Graeme McCarter (Fox Lodge/Gloucestershire), Niall McDonnell (Coleraine), Gareth McKeegan (Brigade), Chris Pierce (Eglinton), David Rankin (Bready), Andrew Riddles (Ardmore), Johnny Thompson (Brigade), Stuart Thompson (Eglinton), Craig Young (Bready/Sussex).

The Warriors back-room team has now been finalised and after several weeks of interviews.

Trevor Hamilton has been unveiled as the new Team Administrator - the Bready man taking up the post up formally with immediate effect. The Inter-Provincial committee has confirmed that interest in the job was “substantial” but that they were confident that the new man would enjoy the support of players and clubs throughout the region.

Union President Andrew Fleming said: “We would like to thank all of those who took the time to apply for the Administrator role and especially those who attended for interview.

“The standard was very high, as we expected, so the process proved to be far from easy.

“Trevor has a very demanding job to do now and we trust he will enjoy the support of the local cricket fraternity in his work.”

Hamilton was obviously thrilled with his new role but was fully aware that the onus will be on him to hit the ground running. “Having been a member of the last NW team to take part in the Inter Pro Series I’m delighted to have been asked to be involved in the new North West Warriors set up.

“This will see the cream of the North West’s up and coming talent compete against our counterparts in the Northern and Leinster Cricket Unions.”

New Head Coach Bobby Rao was also thrilled to have secured the position: “I am obviously happy to take the job and having worked with most, if not all the players I believe we can get down to work fairly quickly.

“I do however think now is also the time to involve people who have plenty of playing experience in the North West behind them but who still have plenty to offer the sport here.

“Because of that, and once I was told I had been appointed Head Coach, I met with Ian McGregor about taking on a support role and he has agreed to take on a combined Assistant Coach/Team Manager role and I am looking forward to working with him closely throughout the season.”

The final posts to be filled were those of selectors with a team of four required for each region. Bobby Rao and Peter Gillespie are automatic choices for the first two courtesy of their Head Coach and International selector roles and the other two places will be filled by Junior McBrine and Mark Olphert.