WARINGSTOWN

Captain: Greg Thompson
Players in: Bilawal Bhatti (pro), Tom Mayes, Matthew Halliday, James Hall.
Players out: Pat Botha (pro), Rory Bessell.
Young players to watch: Ben Snell, Matthew Halliday

Waringstown were in the silverware in 2023, and after a busy close season, they looked to be even stronger for 2024, and will no doubt be at the business end of the various competitions.

“I’m really looking forward to the season, and hopefully it will be a good one,” said captain Greg Thompson. “We have replaced our professional from last season Pat Botha with Pakistani Bilawal Bhatti. He’s an experienced all-rounder who will bring quality with both bat and ball. Rory Bessell has gone back to New Zealand, although we have heard he may now be switching to another NCU side.  We have brought in Tom Mayes, who was away recently with Ireland Wolves, is a regular with the Northern Knights, and joins us from North Down. Our record scorer James Hall is also back after three years at Woodvale.

“We have also added Matthew Halliday who is a wicketkeeper batsman, who joins us from Derriaghy. Matthew is a talented batsman who we have been keeping tabs on for over a year, and it’s our intention that he will take the gloves in most games this season. Johnny Bushe will still be around , but Matthew gives us that batsman/wicketkeeper option. He will bat near the top of the order and it will be interesting to see how he fits into the squad, having settled quickly here.

“Ben Snell is another young player to keep an eye on, as he had a great 2023 season taking 26/27 wickets, did really well and is around the Emerging Knights squad. We have high hopes for him again this season.

“ We are all excited and feel we have strengthened the squad. We will look to build on the success of last year where we won the NCU Challenge and T20 cups, as well as getting to the Irish Senior Cup final.

“As with any season at Waringstown we hope to be competing at the top end of most competitions.”