The Northern Cricket Union has announced the Northern Knights squads for their first three fixtures in the 2017 Hanley Energy Inter-Provincial Series. The games are against Munster Reds in the Inter-Provincial 20 Series (IP20), and the North West Warriors in the Inter-Provincial 50 Series (IP50) and Inter-Provincial Championship (IPC).

At the launch of the 2017 competition Clive Gilmore, CEO of Hanley Energy said, 'Hanley Energy are proud to sponsor for the third year running the Inter-Provincial Series 2017. Having achieved first-class status from the ICC makes this one of the most historic events on the Irish cricket calendar'.

Richard Holdsworth (Cricket Ireland Performance Director) said, '2017 will be a historic year for the Inter-Provincial competitions - First time participants, Munster Reds, are now playing in the Hanley Energy IP T20 Trophy, which had List A status granted late last year by the ICC. The IP50 Cup will continue with three teams and now has List A status also, whilst for the first time in the of history Irish Cricket, the 3-day Championship will have First Class status, which we anticipate both the players and the public will now hold in higher regard'.

James Shannon will captain the Northern Knights in the forthcoming fixtures. He says, 'Everyone is looking forward to the upcoming fixtures, firstly against Munster and the two games against the North West. The strength and depth of the squad has allowed us to rest players in what is a busy schedule. However, I have total confidence in the squads we have to get three wins in the early stages of the season, and this would ensure we are well set in the competitions for the remainder of the season. The preparation has been good, and players are high on confidence following good performances for clubs, Emerging Knights and Ireland Wolves. It is now time to put all of our preparations into practice as a team'.

May 26 IP20 - v Munster Reds at The Mardyke, Cork - 5pm Start

• James Shannon (Captain)
• Stephen Bunting
• Adam Dennison
• Shane Getkate
• Michael Gilmour
• Gary Kidd
• Craig Lewis
• Graeme McCarter
• Robert McKinley
• Jacob Mulder
• Lee Nelson
• Greg Thompson
• Christopher Dougherty

May 29 IP50 - v North West Warriors at Strabane - 10:45am Start

• James Shannon (Captain)
• Adam Dennison
• Christopher Dougherty
• Shane Getkate
• Gary Kidd
• Graeme McCarter
• Robert McKinley
• Jacob Mulder
• Nathan Smith
• Nikolai Smith
• Greg Thompson
• Stephen Bunting
• Lee Nelson

May 30 to June 1 - IP Championship - v North West Warriors at Eglinton - 11am Start

• James Shannon (Captain)
• Adam Dennison
• Christopher Dougherty
• Shane Getkate
• Gary Kidd
• James McCollum
• Robert McKinley
• Lee Nelson
• Nathan Smith
• Nikolai Smith
• Greg Thompson
• Jacob Mulder
• Graeme McCarter

All requests for interviews should be made through the Northern Knights Manager Andrew Rose (07967580122).