2023 Rario Inter-Provincial Series set to kick off in Cork

DUBLIN – Rario has been announced as the title sponsor for the 2023 Inter-Provincial Series, as the four squads and fixture schedules have been confirmed today. The competition gets underway on Monday, 15 May 2023 when reigning Inter-Provincial Cup champions, Munster Reds, host North West Warriors at The Mardyke in Cork.

The Inter-Provincial Series is the peak domestic men’s cricket competition in Ireland, which takes a best v best approach in supporting the pathway to the national side. All matches will be livestreamed in full on ICC.tv and livescored on the Cricket Ireland Match Centre.

Rario is the world’s first and largest licenced digital cricket collectible platform, dedicated to bringing the fans closer to the sport like never before. See more.

In 2022, the Munster Reds broke through and won their first inter-provincial title – the (50-over) Inter-Provincial Cup, while Leinster Lightning held off the Reds double ambitions to claim their seventh (T20) Inter-Provincial Trophy.

Munster Reds will have a new head coach for the 2023 season after former Irish international Jeremy Bray replaced Ted Williamson over the winter.

MEET THE SQUAD – Northern Knights

Squad:

Mark Adair (CIYMS CC) Capt, Ross Adair (CIYMS CC), Max Burton (Cliftonville Academy CC), Cade Carmichael (Instonians CC), Matthew Foster (CSNI CC), Matthew Humphreys (Lisburn CC), Tyron Koen (CIYMS CC),Josh Manley (Lisburn CC), John Matchett (CIYMS CC), Tom Mayes (North Down CC), James McCollum (Waringstown CC), Ruhan Pretorius (Woodvale CC), Cian Robertson (Instonians CC), Neil Rock (Rush CC), Paul Stirling (North Down CC), Morgan Topping (Waringstown CC).

Simon Johnston, the head coach of the Northern Knights, said:

“Training has been going very well, with a new schedule put in place that better caters for the availability of the players – particularly the guys who have full-time jobs or are non-contracted cricketers. The new system this year has ensured all players in both the Knights and emerging squads have had access to multiple training sessions each week over the winter, and we’ve managed to train with members of the senior Irish squad when they’ve been available, which is good for the development of the younger players.

“This will be a different year, in that the contracted lads may not be as available as in the past, due to the heavy senior schedule, so it’s a brilliant opportunity for the next crop of players to stick their hands up and show how good they can be when given the opportunities.

“With the coaching, I’ve loved it as always to be honest. I’ve very thankful to have been involved now with the Knights for over six years, and it’s been exciting along with the help of a large number of people behind the scenes to put a pathway in place for younger players in the NCU to develop into the senior Knights and beyond. One of the most enjoyable things is being able to work with the guys from Under-15s right the way up and watch them grow and learn as players and it’s very satisfying when they kick on and play for the emerging and senior Knights.

“Knights-wise, we have been very lucky to have Ian Butler come on board and be able to assist a couple of sessions a week, which the fast bowlers have loved. James Cameron-Dow has been brilliant as well coming in and helping with the spinners, and the likes of Matty Humphreys has benefited massively from it. Without both their time and expertise my job would be a hell of a lot harder – so, their efforts working with the players are greatly appreciated.”