Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Craig Young signs for Sussex

Craig Young

Ireland under-19 international Craig Young has signed a one-year deal with English County side Sussex, after impressing at a training camp with the club in Dubai. The bowler had gone for a trial with the English side before being invited to participate in the training camp.

Young was one of Ireland's most impressive players at the Under-19 World Cup in January, taking nine wickets in all. His best performance came against Zimbabwe, scoring 4-14. Young had been playing with Bready in the NW League, but is now moving on to bigger pastures.

He said "I got news that I was being offered a contract following my time with them in Dubai. I'm delighted, and hopefully it'll work out for me. I'll be going over shortly for pre-season, and they'll be in touch with Ireland to see what my likely commitments will be during the summer. After they speak with them, a plan will be drawn up which will hopefully work for everybody."

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Fixtures: Ireland v Bangladesh ODIs in June

Bangladesh v Ireland

Cricket Ireland has announced that Bangladesh will be playing two ODIs against Ireland at Stormont in June. The matches will take place on Thursday June 15th and Friday June 16th. Bangladesh have also lined up matches against England, Scotland and Netherlands during their European trip.

Cricket Ireland CEO Warren Deutrom says that the matches mark the way forward for Ireland: "For the last three years or so, we have targetted matches against the lower-ranked full members as the most important means of measuring our progress and determining our readiness to step up to the elite level. All our players will be aware of the perception that strong results against test-playing countries creates, and will be keen to maximise home advantage to good effect in the year that we are applying to move higher in the international firmament."

Irish coach Phil Simmons added "It’s great that we have a chance to play them on home soil. We lost to them badly in 2008 in Bangladesh but on our home turf I’d be confident of doing well. We have beaten them in both the 2007 World Cup, and in the ICC World Twenty20 last year, so I don’t think there’s much to choose between the two teams. It’s a great opportunity for us to gain valuable ranking points."