Test places up for grabs in inter-pro battles
IRELAND coach Graham Ford insisted recently there are still places available in next week’s Test match squad when Leinster Lightning and North West Warriors square up over the next three days in the opening first class match of the season.
No fewer than 17 internationals will be involved and, while only six of them are certain starters at Malahide on Friday week, at least five others will still hope to make the 13 which will be named this Friday morning.
Ironically, the two captains could be playing for one slot with Andy McBrine up against George Dockrell and, while Warriors Clear aim: Andy McBrine is out to defend his Ireland place
skipper McBrine is the man in possession, Dockrell’s batting continues to be missed at international level. Indeed, it has improved so much in the past 12 months that he could almost be considered as a specialist No.7 with his bowling a bonus.
Gary Wilson is currently holding down that place — and will be rewarded for his 13-year career with his 254th cap in the Test match. Yesterday he batted for more than three hours for Derbyshire, finishing 64 not out.
Simi Singh is the other slow bowler in contention, although he has bowled only 20 overs in two red-ball matches for Ireland, but if he impresses this week for Lightning it could be enough.
In another shoot-out for Test selection, Warriors’ Craig Young will be up against Peter Chase and there is probably only room for one, with Boyd Rankin — making his first appearance for Warriors today since 2003 — Tim Murtagh and Barry McCarthy certain to be included. JUDD Trump has secured his place in the World Championship quarter-finals by beating Welshman Ricky Walden 13-9.
World No.4 Trump sealed a last-eight clash against four-time winner John Higgins with a final-frame clearance of 103.
The pair were locked at 8-8 overnight, but Trump won five of their six frames yesterday with the help of three half-century breaks.
World No.27 Walden won yesterday’s opening frame to edge 9-8 ahead, but Trump took the next five with runs of 66, 70 and 66 before finishing with his fourth century in the last. In line: Judd Trump had no issues in reaching last-eight
China’s Ding Junhui earlier sealed his place in the last-eight by completing a 13-4 win against Anthony McGill.
The World No.3, who had built a commanding 12-4 overnight lead, won the opening frame in yesterday’s morning session and will play Barry Hawkins in the last-eight.
Ding was in fine form against McGill, compiling three century breaks and five half-centuries on Sunday before sealing the deal yesterday.
He had raced into an 8-0 lead in a one-sided morning session on Sunday and never relinquished control.
Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen has already booked his last-eight clash with Kettering’s Kyren Wilson.
Ali Carter, who knocked out Ronnie O’Sullivan, will play Mark Williams.
Two-time champion Williams led Bristolian Robert Milkins 10-6 going into last night’s session before winning 13-7.