Simmons decides to give Connell a break

CRICKET: WITH ONE eye firmly on next month's Twenty20 World Cup, Ireland coach Phil Simmons continues his squad rotation this weekend with opening bowler Peter Connell rested for tomorrow's Friends Provident Trophy clash with Hampshire at Eglinton in Derry (10.45).

Last Monday's seven-wicket defeat to Leicestershire was Connell's 15th game of the year and his figures of 0 for 63 in seven overs prompted Simmons to give the North Down player a rest as he works on getting his squad in peak condition ahead of the opening game against Bangladesh on June 8th.

"I decided to give Peter Connell a break after he looked a bit jaded. We've played a lot of cricket in recent weeks, and he hasn't really had a break," said Simmons.

"I've spoken with him, and he understands fully. We've a lot more cricket coming up, with the Twenty20 World Cup just weeks away now, and I want him fully refreshed for that."

Connell's place in the squad goes to all-rounder Alex Cusack, who returns after missing the first three FP Trophy games with an achilles injury that he aggravated at the World Cup qualifiers in South Africa.

There is one other change for tomorrow, with Malahide wicket-keeper Fintan McAllister coming in for Gary Wilson, who played in the competition for Surrey on Monday, ruling him out of Ireland's remaining games.

Trent Johnston has also been rested since the squad's return with a hamstring injury, but is set to come back in for next Thursday's game against Leicestershire at Castle Avenue.

Johnston played a Twenty20 game with Railway Union during the week and will line out for his club in today's Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup second-round tie against Glendermott at Park Avenue. Simmons has given the competition a significant boost by releasing his international players for today's games, with Kevin O'Brien joining Johnston in the Railway side.

John Mooney will be in the North County line-up as they get the defence of their title underway with a trip to Upritchard Park to take on Bangor, while Cusack and Andrew Poynter have both been named in the Clontarf side to take on Carrickfergus.

That game now takes place at Castle Avenue after Carrickfergus had to give up home advantage due to an unplayable pitch.

North West side Fox Lodge suffered the same problem with their tie against Leinster now going ahead at Rathmines.

IRELAND(Squad for FP Trophy game v Hampshire, Eglinton Sunday, 10.45): K McCallan (Waringstown, capt), J Bray (The Hills), A Cusack (Clontarf), P Eaglestone (Strabane), J Hall (Waringstown), F McAllister (Malahide), J Mooney (North County), K O'Brien (Railway Union), A Poynter (Clontarf), P Stirling (Carrickfergus), R Strydom (YMCA), R West (Civil Service North), A White (Instonians).