Bray recalled to Irish squad for away double-header

CRICKET NEWS:JEREMY BRAY is in line to make his first Ireland appearance in two years this weekend after being named in a 13-man squad for the away double-header against Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire in the Friends Provident Trophy.

The 35-year-old Australian-born opening batsman replaces Fintan McAllister in the only change from the opening 52-run loss to Worcestershire at Stormont last Sunday.

Ireland coach Phil Simmons pointed to the loss of three of his top-order batsmen to their county sides as his reason for recalling Bray, who helped The Hills claim the Leinster Senior League title last summer.

“He scored heavily in Leinster senior cricket last season, and he’s always had talent. He’s a proven performer at international level, and with us losing so many top-order batsmen, I felt he would improve our squad,” said Simmons.

Bray made the last of his 72 international appearances in May 2007, when his innings of 146 helped Ireland beat Canada to claim the Intercontinental Cup title at Grace Road, where Ireland play Leicestershire next Monday.

Citing exhaustion and a frustration at what he believed was a lack of direction after the World Cup as the reasons behind his decision at the time, Bray yesterday explained why he made himself available again for selection.

“I’m delighted to be involved again. I said some harsh things about Irish cricket two years ago, which I’ve come to regret deeply.

“I was exhausted after all the exploits of the World Cup, and felt we weren’t changing quickly enough. I’ve been proved wrong, and Irish cricket is now in a stronger position than ever before. I made myself available and am grateful to Phil (Simmons) for giving me another opportunity,” said Bray.

“I’ve had three months’ rest from cricket for the first time in over four years, and I feel refreshed, fit and raring to go. I feel I’ve got a good few years left in me,” he added.

Simmons believes Bray can succeed on his return to the senior side and has earmarked the left-hander for a potential role in the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup finals in June.

“He’s very fit and is focused on the game now – I don’t think he had that appetite and focus when he took a break from the game. We have the Twenty20 World Cup coming up, and to me he’s ideally suited to that form of the game. He scores boundaries and is a powerful striker of the ball,” said Simmons.

IRELAND SQUAD (for Friends Provident Trophy games v Nottinghamshire, Sunday, Trent Bridge and Leicestershire, Grace Road, Monday):K McCallan (Waringstown, Capt), J Bray (The Hills), P Connell (North Down), P Eaglestone (Strabane), J Hall (Waringstown), 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), G Wilson (Surrey, wkts).