Cricket News: Three Irish players have been selected for the Europe squad that will take on the MCC in the first match of its kind in the Netherlands later this month.
The Europe team is made up of players from countries within the continent that have associate or affiliate membership of the International Cricket Council. The match, which will take place on June 29th during the MCC's tour of the Netherlands, has come about through the invitation and support of the club's president Robin Marlar.
Europe will be led by Scotland captain Craig Wright and includes Ireland internationals Kyle McCallan, Jeremy Bray and national skipper Trent Johnston. Former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns is in the MCC side.
The 12-man Europe squad also includes four players from Scotland and two from the Netherlands, all of them hoping to be selected for their national sides for next year's ICC Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean after their countries qualified for the tournament during last year's ICC Trophy in Ireland.
"The concept of a European team is one we have been looking into for some time and this match is an excellent opportunity to put it into practice," said ICC regional development manager Richard Holdsworth.
"It gives some of the best players from our region the chance to come up against some top-quality opposition, which will do those of them hoping to head to the Caribbean for next year's ICC Cricket World Cup no harm at all," he said.
EUROPE SQUAD: C Wright capt (Sco), J Bray, T Johnston, K McCallan (all Ireland), D van Bunge, E Schiferli (Netherlands), J Frith, L Savident (Guernsey), F Klokker (Den), R Lyons, R Watson, D Nel (Sco).
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