Warriors coach McGregor delighted as debutants shine
The North-West Warriors enjoyed a relatively successful week in the Test Triangle Inter Pros last week. First they beat the Northern Knights in the IP50 before then posting an opening day score of 234/7 in the Championship game, also against the Knights, at North Down Cricket Club.
Both games were unfortunately rain-affected, but it didn’t take away from some thrilling action on the field.
Warriors head coach Ian McGregor initially thought his side came up short in their batting total in their IP 50 clash, only for his side to show great character by limiting the Knights in their reply.
“Obviously anytime you manage to get a win on the board you’ve got to be delighted. We felt during the innings break that, given the surface, we were perhaps 30-40 runs short of what would have been a very competitive total. Ultimately, a superb bowling and fielding display managed to get us across the line. Huge credit must go to our young bowling attack who, with Graham Hume and Craig Young bowled out, showed great skill and character in a highly pressurised situation.”
With the Warriors decimated, following the loss of Andrew Austin, Boyd Rankin, Stuart Thompson, Davy Scanlon, Andy Britton and William McClintock and Andy McBrine for various reasons, many observers would have predicted a comfortable Knights win. However, McGregor said it wasn’t a surprise for him, “The result was probably a surprise only to those outside of the Warriors group. I had a chat to the players at the start of the week and asked them to focus on who was there, not who was missing. I tried to reinforce the need for the younger players to have the same degree of belief in themselves as the selectors did in them. I hope now that the experience gained from being involved in an environment such as Monday’s game will help them to do just that.”
William Porterfield and Aaron Gillespie shared a cracking 100 partnership for the 3rd wicket, and McGregor said that partnership was key, “Yes, this was a key partnership for us, with both players showing their undoubted class. William has been fantastic for us since coming back into the squad last year, both on and off the field. Aaron is just one of our young players who has benefited massively from William’s presence and this partnership is testimony to that.”
There were three debutants in the IP 50 win over the Knights as Adam McDaid, Gregory McFaul and Brendon Louw made their first starts. McGregor was delighted with their performances, “I was very pleased with all three debutants, although Brendon has obviously played over 50 List A games back in South Africa. He’s a quality keeper and goes about his business in a quiet and efficient manner. I thought his ability to stand up to the stumps whilst Aaron Gillespie was bowling was crucial, and it ultimately led to a fantastic catch to dismiss Gary Wilson. Gregory McFaul is a young bowler with enormous potential and a current member of our Ireland U19 squad. I’ve worked very closely with him over the winter in both that squad and of course our Warriors squad, and it was fantastic to see him show his wide range of skills during the match, especially in the last over to close out the game. Adam McDaid is a skilful batsman who came through the Irish underage programme but as yet hasn’t truly fulfilled his undoubted potential. He’s had a reasonably successful start to the domestic club season and we’re looking for him to kick on and produce a higher level of consistency which will help him secure a regular spot in the squad.”
While the Championship clash between the sides ultimately fell foul to the weather, the Warriors did manage to post a score of 234/7 at the close of play on day one, a score which seemed highly unlikely following a top order batting collapse. They were on 87/6 when teenager Graham Kennedy came in and 98/7 as South African Graham Hume came to the crease. However both batted superbly, scoring 136 (Kennedy 73 and Hume 54), pleasing their coach no end.
“This was a fantastic partnership from them, a situation which, perhaps two or three years ago wouldn’t have happened. Both players complimented each other superbly and as the partnership developed, they were able to gradually increase the tempo, taking us to a very satisfactory position at the close of play.”
“I think this partnership is now a reflection of the greater understanding we as a group have of this format of the game. Initially we struggled with three-day cricket but with each season we’re coming to terms with the unique intricacies it produces and of course winning the competition last year was a massive boost for the players and staff but also for cricket in the North West.”
Another teenager Kyle Magee made his Warriors debut in the championship match, scoring 26, and McGregor was delighted for him, “Yes, Kyle is another member of our Ireland U19 squad, in fact he’s also still in the U17 squad as well, so his performance on Tuesday belies his age and lack of experience. I thought he showed wonderful application in a totally alien environment, although credit too must go to Brendon Louw who helped him through a very tricky period in the game. I’ve seen Kyle play a number of important innings now in pressure situations and this one in particular will give him a huge amount of confidence.”
Unfortunately the weather ruined what could have been a thrilling game, but overall Warriors coach McGregor was happy. He said, “Yes, it was disappointing that we weren’t able to resume play after the first day. I thought having weathered the storm of the first and second sessions we played ourselves into a reasonably strong position to be able to exert some degree of control on the game. The surface was one which we felt our seam bowling attack could exploit and I was looking forward to seeing Craig Young, David Scanlon, Graham Hume and Graham Kennedy apply pressure to the Knights batters.”
“Overall, I was delighted with both the performance and attitude shown by the players during the week. The experience gained by our young players from being involved is priceless in terms of their development. Finally I’d like to thank the selectors for backing me and the players and shows proof if needed that our selection policy has been totally vindicated.”
Next up for the Warriors is a Championship clash with the Leinster Lightning at Bready Cricket Club on June 17-19.
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