Cricket Ireland has announced its Under-17s Boys squad to play three fixtures at Malvern College, Worcestershire next week and three fixtures against Scotland in Ayr in August. The squad contains 3 NCU players: Max Burton (Carrickfergus), James Hunter & Oliver Metcalfe (both Instonians).

Nigel Jones, Head Coach of the Under-17s squad, said:

"The selectors have settled on an exciting group of players to represent Ireland at Under-17 level – really showing the upcoming talent we have in Ireland."

"We were able to use the recent Under-17 Inter-Provincial tournament to watch and assess a wide range of players across that week-long event. This new competition, coupled with an intensive winter training programme and early season performances at club and Inter-Provincial levels, has provide the ideal preparation for this programme of representative fixtures."

"Neil Rock, who was definitely one of the standout players for Ireland at the Under-19 Cricket World Cup in January, will lead a national side at Under-17 level for the first time and we would like to take this opportunity to wish Neil and his squad well for Worcester and Scotland."

The 14-player squad is:

• Neil Rock (C)
• Max Burton
• JJ Garth
• Gavin Hoey
• James Hunter
• Cillian McDonnell
• Gregory McFaul
• Oliver Metcalfe
• Alex Neary
• Cian Nulty
• Marcus Poskitt
• Scott Ruttle
• Alex Stiles
• Mitchell Thompson

Fixtures

23 - 24 July       Ireland U17 vs Worcestershire (2 day match, Worcestershire)
26 July              Ireland U17 vs Worcestershire (50 over match, Worcestershire)
27 July              Ireland U17 vs Worcestershire (20 over match, Worcestershire)

13 - 14 August  Ireland U17 vs Scotland U17 (2 day match, Ayr)
15 August         Ireland U17 vs Scotland U17 (50 over match, Ayr)
16 August         Ireland U17 vs Scotland U17 (20 over match, Ayr)