Ireland team-mates face each other at Bready

Andy McBride, North West Warriors captain.

Interprovincial cricket makes its long awaited return to the domestic schedule tomorrow (Thursday) as the North West Warriors welcome a highly-touted Northern Knights side to Bready for a T20 cup clash.

Ian McGregor's men will be without pace bowlers Boyd Rankin and Conor Olphert due to injury but there remains a real blend of youth and experience in the home squad.

Skipper Andy McBrine is one of five Irish Internationals in the North West ranks alongside William Porterfield, Craig Young, Stuart Thompson and David Rankin.

Ross Allen and the two Graham's - Hume and Kennedy - boast plenty of experience at this level, however there is plenty of youthful exuberance making up the 12.

Will Smale looks set to take the gloves on his competitive debut while Nathan McGuire is another youngster that many will be looking forward to seeing in the blue and green.

Brigade's Kyle Magee and Varun Chopra of Coleraine get well-deserved opportunities to feature at this level as the Warriors' selectors quite rightly look to the future in this strangest of seasons.

All eyes will be on Paul Stirling at the top of the Knights' order but just this once it will be fine by the home side if our world-class International opener doesn't get going.

Action gets under way at 1.30pm at Magheramason and we'll be keeping everything crossed for a break from the weather for an intriguing game.

NW Warriors Squad: Andy McBrine, Ross Allen, Varun Chopra, Graham Hume, Graham Kennedy, Kyle Magee, Nathan McGuire, William Porterfield, David Rankin, Will Smale, Stuart Thompson and Craig Young.

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