Irish unchanged for weekend games

Phil Simmons is encouraged by his team's early-season form

Ireland have named an unchanged squad for their two Friends Provident Trophy games at Stormont this weekend.

The Irish face Warwickshire on Friday and take on Leicestershire on Sunday.

Phil Eaglestone has recovered from a knee injury which forced him to miss the Northamptonshire game while Paul Stirling is also available.

Seventeen-year-old Stirling, who top scored for the Irish with an impressive knock of 70 against Northants, is currently sitting examinations.

Eaglestone is named in the squad after coming through two games for his club Strabane over the weekend.

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"I'm happy to be able name an unchanged squad for these two games," said Ireland coach Phil Simmons.

"Although we have been beaten in our opening three games, we have played some good cricket, and I can see an improvement in the young guys.

"It's always difficult playing against the counties but that's the only way you are going to learn.

"Paul Stirling and James Hall showed their potential against Northamptonshire, and you can see we have a lot of talent in this squad."

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Ireland squad: W Porterfield (capt), R Rampaul, A Cusack, P Eaglestone, T Fourie, J Hall, G Kidd, K McCallan, K O'Brien, P Stirling, R Strydom, A White, G Wilson.