NCU

MTB Emerging Knights Head Coach Simon Johnston has named two squads for the upcoming Future Series matches against Leinster Lightning Bolts (Wednesday) and Ireland Under-19s (Thursday).

Both games are 45-over contests and the Knights will be looking to build on the positive start to their campaign which has seen them pick up two wins from three matches.

The 12-man squad that has been named for Wednesday's clash against the unbeaten Bolts at The Lawn, Waringstown (11am start) will be captained by John Matchett.

Emerging Knights squad vs Leinster Lightning Bolts:

• John Matchett (CIYMS) (Captain)
• Aditya Adey (Woodvale)
• Max Burton (Cliftonville Academy)
• Cade Carmichael (Instonians)
• Matthew Foster (CSNI)
• James Hunter (Instonians)
• Ben Mackey (CSNI)
• Tom Mayes (North Down)
• Oliver Metcalfe (Instonians)
• Cian Robertson (Instonians)
• Morgan Topping (Waringstown)
• CJ van der Walt (Carrickfergus)

There will be wholesale changes to the squad for Thursday with an Emerging Under-19 Select taking on Ireland Under-19s at Middle Road, Carrickfergus (11am start).

A number of players that starred for the NCU U15 and U17 squads in the recent Youth Inter-Provincials have been rewarded with a call-up, including U15 captain Harry Dyer and Ryan Hunter, who scored two centuries.

Emerging U19 Select squad vs Ireland Under-19s:

• Matthew Humphreys (Lisburn) (Captain)
• Cade Carmichael (Instonians)
• Harry Dyer (CSNI)
• James Hunter (Instonians)
• Ryan Hunter (CSNI)
• Archie Johnston (CSNI)
• Carson McCullough (CIYMS)
• Oliver Metcalfe (Instonians)
• Cian Robertson (Instonians)
• Ben Snell (Waringstown)
• Michael Waite (Waringstown)
• Ewan Wilson (Muckamore)

The depth of talent is something that excites Johnston and he is looking forward to the upcoming fixtures.

"We have always intended to use this first Future Series for a number of reasons and most importantly for our long-term vision as a Union," he said.

"We have said from the outset we will pick different squads for different games to ensure we as a Union can get the maximum out of the series for all players within our pathway."

"We have identified 23 players aged 15 to seniors who we, if possible, would like to get a look at over the summer if not in games in high-performance training environments."

"On top of this it's exciting to see lots of other guys at senior club level putting their hands up with their performances and the door will always be open to push their way in as well."

"We will try to pick the strongest squad we can of the guys who we feel will be "next in line" for senior honours where we can and give those guys a chance to stick up their hands for senior selection and it's been brilliant to see a couple of guys doing that already in the games so far."

"Then also we feel it's vitally important to use a number of these games to expose some of our junior pathway players to a higher level of cricket than they are used to or have been exposed to before. This will be a brilliant learning opportunity for both them and us."

"Winning of course is important but the chance to get a number of our talented pathway junior players a higher level of cricket is a brilliant opportunity.
"We must also thank Albert for all his hard work being able to get these games finally over the line."