Part One of an interview with the former Afghanistan fielding coach on his time with the side, his time playing against them for Ireland and his current path which has brought him to the IPL and beyond. 

Gary Wilson may have been Ireland’s head coach for only a matter of weeks, but the former international wicketkeeper insists his preparations for the position began long before the vacancy arose.

Cara Murray was the stand-out performer with six wickets, although skipper Amy Hunter was the class act with 80 off 71 balls as Dragons chased down their victory target of  225 with nine overs to spare.

“Don’t move Alan” and with that, Irish Independent Press Photographer Sean O’Neill rested his long lens camera on the shoulder of fine leg fielder Alan Hughes and snapped the action photo with Malahide Castle in the background.

Strabane cricket and the wider community are mourning the death of Michael “Mixer” McCrossan, a much-loved local character whose association with the town’s sporting and social life spanned several decades.

PEMBROKE completed the second leg of their Drive for Five last night, taking the LHW Leinster Senior Cup after a one-sided final in Sydney Parade.

Lisburn Seconds displayed their all-round ability to defeat CI by 47 runs and lift the NCU Junior Cup at Sandy Bay, Larne.

The ridiculous scoring rate which is almost becoming the norm in 2026 continued at Wallace Park on Saturday when Lisburn chased down their victory target of 227 in 26.3 overs. And yes, they had 50 overs to do it.

At 29, he is already in the top ten of Waringstown’s leading run-scorers and has moved past distinguished names including Alan Waite, Kyle McCallan and long-time team-mate Greg Thompson, while he just needs another 59 to surpass Roy Harrison in sixth spot.

Newbuildings demonstrated why they are currently the outstanding side in North West cricket as they held their nerve to defeat Coleraine by 51 runs in a compelling Senior Cup final at Beechgrove.

Pembroke won the Leinster Senior Cup for a record 16th time with a crushing 222 runs victory over Leinster CC

Teenager Alfie Moan's maturity, talent and grounded approach earn praise from proud father Giles, who also pays tribute to Killyclooney, Donemana, the NW and Ireland

Bready Women captain Lucy McGranaghan has challenged her newly crowned Premiership champions to maintain their relentless standards as they prepare for a demanding month that could bring further silverware.

Azim Kazi believes experience, patience and a love of pressure can help Donemana turn an unexpected title opportunity into something special over the closing weeks of the North West Premiership season.

One down and “a busy few weeks to come” is how Pembroke skipper Jack Tector sums up the season, ahead of the Leinster Senior Cup final against Leinster at Sydney Parade on Saturday.

Ireland Under-19 Women held their nerve to defeat Scotland by six runs in a thrilling Celtic Cup decider, sealing the five-match series 3-2.

The United Arab Emirates have secured their place at the ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup 2027 after edging hosts Malaysia by just one run in a thrilling final of the ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup 2027 Asia Qualifier at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur.

North West Warriors Women held their nerve to claim a dramatic one-wicket victory over the NCU in a low-scoring Future Series contest.

There was sad news earlier this week with the death of Godfrey Graham, who won his only cap as a teenager in 1954. By way of tribute we republish his biography compiled in 2010 by Edward Liddle.

Armagh completed a T20 Trophy triumph as they defeated Carrickfergus by seven wickets in the rescheduled final.

Robyn Searle struck a brilliant century as Clontarf Women swept to a commanding 103-run victory over Balbriggan.

Laura Delany and Alexandra Sheedy produced a spectacular batting display as Leinster Women chased down 202 to defeat Rush by nine wickets with 13 balls to spare.

Coleraine captain David Cooke has challenged his players to stand up and be counted as the Bannsiders prepare to face favourites Newbuildings in the North West Senior Cup final.

Ireland made it two wins from two at the Castle Barnard Festival with a spectacular 289-run demolition of Cleveland Schools, powered by centuries from Alfie Moan and Vidath Geddam.

Ireland Under-19 Women made it two wins in as many days over Scotland after holding their nerve to complete a dramatic nine-run victory in another Celtic Cup thriller.

Ireland have placed their faith in fresh faces, overseas-born talent and attacking intent for next week’s five-match ODI series against Afghanistan, with Byron McDonough earning a first senior call-up and Jai Moondra and Ben Calitz in line for 50-over debuts.

Scotland have named a refreshed 15-man squad for next month’s ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 series against Canada and the United Arab Emirates at Forthill.

Scotland drew first blood in the Celtic Cup series with a convincing six-wicket victory over Ireland Under-17s in the opening game of the annual series.

Ireland Under-15s made a winning start to the Castle Barnard Festival with a convincing six-wicket victory over Huntingdonshire Cricket Board.

Ireland Under-19 Women edged Scotland by one wicket in a dramatic T20 contest, reaching their target of 136 with six balls to spare despite a late collapse.

Lisburn won the LVS T20 Cup, in a final which will surely be remembered as the Ben Caltiz final after an innings which was remarkable even by his lofty big-hitting standards.

The 2026 North East Cricket Series might have ended on the field in a tied series, but off the field, all participants joined in the fundraising efforts for the local Headlight Project charity.

Leinster Women secured the Future Series trophy with two matches still remaining after completing an emphatic seven-wicket victory over the North West Warriors.

Ryan Eagleson may have attempted to hang up his boots more than once, but the former Ireland international remains ready to answer Carrickfergus’ call as they prepare to face Armagh in Sunday’s T20 Trophy final.

Leinster Lightning confirmed their dominance in the inter-provincial Cup with another devastating batting performance and crushing victory over North West Warriors in the final at Sydney Parade.

Annabel Squires produced a record-breaking century before Aisling Lawlor claimed five wickets as Leinster Women defeated the NCU by 128 runs.

Luke Marillier enhanced his growing reputation with a magnificent unbeaten century, but Munster Heat produced a determined second-innings display to secure a draw against the Emerging Warriors in their Future Series encounter.

Daniel Forkin’s unbeaten century ensured honours finished even as the Future Series encounter between the Emerging Knights and Leinster Lightning Bolts ended in a draw.

North West Warriors captain Andy McBrine admitted Leinster Lightning were simply too strong in the Interprovincial 50-over Cup final, but insisted the 170-run defeat should not overshadow an encouraging season for his side.

Leinster Lightning captain Lorcan Tucker hailed his side’s character and consistency after they successfully defended the Interprovincial 50-over Cup with a crushing 170-run victory over the North West Warriors.

Josh Wilson claimed four wickets before Hassan Shahid and James Smallwoods led a strong reply as the Emerging Warriors enjoyed an encouraging opening day against Munster Heat at The Mardyke. 

Cricket World Cup League 2 rolls into Utrecht.

Ireland have named their Over-40s squad for next week’s Triple Crown tournament at Bishop’s Stortford in England.

The two-day 1124 run North East Cricket Series came down to the last ball, and a one-run win for the British Army ensured a tied series for the first time in the series long history.

Warriors Women climbed off the bottom of the Future Series table with a 179-run victory over Northern Cricket Union Women.

Competition favourites Pembroke reached the Irish Senior Cup final with a 70-run victory over Malahide at Sydney Parade and remain firmly on course to add to their 2019 success.

CSNI continued to fly the flag for the NCU with an impressive seven-wicket victory over two-time winners Leinster at Rathmines.

Craig Averill produced a magnificent unbeaten 153 as Glendermott defeated Ardmore by 27 runs in a high-scoring National Cup semi-final at The Bleachgreen.

Ballyspallen booked their place in the National Cup final after edging The Hills by three wickets in a tense last-over thriller.

The Clontarf and Pembroke game will remember and honour Peter this Saturday. He will be loving people having a laugh and adding their own stories and memories of a life in cricket, not just in Sydney Parade but wherever it is that a bat and ball are in contest.

Leinster Under-19 Women completed a seven-wicket victory over the North West after Aisling Lawlor produced a superb unbeaten 92 in a successful pursuit of 198.

The North West and Northern Cricket Union Under-14 sides shared the honours with one victory apiece in an entertaining interprovincial double-header at The Rectory.

Jordan Neill is finally on his way back from his latest injury and his return could not have come at a better time for himself and his club, Civil Service North.

Gaby Lewis saw her realistic hopes of a consolation win against the West Indies disappear in the space of four balls in Co Tyrone yesterday as Ireland ended the first of eight World Cup qualifying series with no points.

Multiple announcements about upcoming men's World Cups out of the ICC AGM.

Ireland head to England at the end of August still without a win in the Women’s ODI Championship after West Indies completed a 3-0 clean sweep at Bready. 

The NCU completed an impressive Under-19 girls double with a crushing 167-run victory over Leinster.

NCU Women Under-19s completed a comprehensive 93-run victory over their North West counterparts after producing a strong all-round performance in Donegal at St Johnston.

Jonathan Trott has been hired on a 14-day consultancy contract to help Ireland prepare for next month’s five-match one-day international series against Afghanistan that will be played in Co Tyrone and Belfast.

Down Memory Lane. A look back by Deryck Vincent at an Ireland U-23 tour of Scotland in 1986 - a barely believable 40 years ago with an Irish side full of future internationals and many famous names.

If Ireland are to record a consolation win on Wednesday and get their first World Cup qualifying points on the board they will have find a way to stop nemesis Hayley Matthews — and on current form that may mean locking the West Indies captain in her Derry hotel room.

NCU Under-16 Girls completed a superb interprovincial campaign in emphatic fashion, sealing the title with a dominant 10-wicket victory over Cricket Leinster.

West Indies captain Hayley Matthews made it back to back centuries and although she was out immediately after reaching the landmark, caught off a mistimed pull by Cara Murray, arguably this innings was even more impressive than the unbeaten 159 she scored on Friday.

Cork County CC are running a raffle to fund much-needed roof repairs at The Mardyke.

Fintan McAllister's Leinster Under-19 side were crowned Interprovincial champions after a dramatic final day that saw them snatch the title from the NCU.

Somewhere back in the mid eighties, as skipper of a UCD XI that had been hastily convened for the annual intervarsities tournament, I found myself blessed with an all international opening attack in Peter O’Reilly and Stella Owens.

Amy Hunter struck an assured 96 in Co Tyrone yesterday but her 90-ball innings was just about the only highlight for Ireland as the West Indies powered to a nine-wicket victory in the first of three World Cup qualifying one-day internationals.

It was a painful start to the ICC Women’s Championship for Ireland as they lost to West Indies in the first of the three one-day internationals at Bready by nine wickets.

There at least eight instances of six sixes in an over in Irish cricket. A look at who is on the exclusive list after Ben Calitz joined their ranks at the weekend.

It was a madcap three days for Irish cricket but what actually happened off the Newtownards Road last Friday and Sunday.

Harlequins, Limerick, Galway and Kerry reach Munster Senior Cup last four.

Cricket Leinster Women made a winning start to their Future Series campaign with a bonus-point 34-run victory over the North West Warriors at Oak Hill.

Malan departure: blow for Irish cricket — or time to trust our own? But maybe, just maybe, this is not the setback some will paint it as. Maybe it is the moment Irish cricket finally stands on its own two feet and puts real faith in Irish coaches.

The invitation to an online media roundtable to discuss “High Performance within Irish Cricket”, without the presence of the Ireland coach and on the same day as the first inter-provincial Cup match of the season should have alerted us that “something major” was happening.

The draw has been made for the semi-frinals of the Ulster Plate.

Gary Wilson has been appointed Head Coach of the Ireland men’s team after the surprise resignation yesterday of Heinrich Malan who had been in the role for four years.

IN a surprise move, Cricket Ireland quickly installed former white ball captain Gary Wilson after head coach Heinrich Malan stepped down yesterday.

Bobby Rao admitted it was a moment he will cherish for the rest of his life after ringing the Roy Torrens bell on a famous day for Irish cricket as Ireland beat India by one run to seal a 2-0 T20I series victory.

IRELAND took down the T20 World Champions for the second time in three days yesterday, capping the greatest weekend in the long history of the sport here.

THE glittering superstars of Indian cricket play Ireland in two internationals this weekend in Belfast. With the debut of the newest megastar Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a television audience of over a billion is expected.

Two wins in two days for MCC over hosts Munster Heat as they followed up Saturday’s success with a 38-run victory in Cork

MCC got their Southern Ireland week tour off to a perfect start with a commanding 136-run victory over Munster Heat at The Mardyke after a dominant all-round display.

The University of Galway second XI recorded a whopping 371-run win over Athlone at The Lydican on Sunday.

There was sad news over the weekend following the death of Noel Giltinan.