Cricket/News round-up: South African all-rounder Johan Botha has been named as Ireland's overseas player for Tuesday's C&G Trophy match against Yorkshire at Stormont even though he has not yet landed in the country.
Botha has been signed by Malahide CC as club professional for the season and is expected to be available for their 45 Overs League match against CYM this Saturday.
But first he has the small matter of playing for the Warriors in the Pro20 final at SuperSport Park, Centurion, tonight. His fine spin-bowling spell of 2 for 12 off four overs in the semi-final was crucial in getting his team to that stage, winning him the man-of-the-match award in the process.
Overall Botha has had a fine 2004-05 season for Eastern Province, averaging nearly 50 with the bat and just over 27 with the ball, and it is hoped he can reproduce that kind of form on the slower and softer Irish wickets.
Botha's arrival means that from the squad of 13 which travelled to England last weekend, Paul Mooney and Naseer Shoukat have been left out of the 12 for the C&G Trophy.
That said, Kyle McCallan is classed as doubtful through injury so one of them may get a last-minute recall.
According to a spokeswoman, the Yorkshire squad will not be announced until after their Totesport League match against Sussex on Sunday, although it is expected that England captain Michael Vaughan will be making the trip.
Meanwhile, following a disappointing team performance in the recent World Cup in South Africa, YMCA's Heather Whelan has been named captain of the Ireland women's team for the season, replacing Clare Shillington of Malahide.
Another YM player, Nicki Coffey, has been appointed as Whelan's deputy.
"We felt a change of leadership was needed on the pitch and I think Heather will make an excellent captain," said Ireland coach Pete Johnston. "Clare is still a very important part of the team and I think it will do her good to have the burden of captaincy lifted from her."
IRELAND (v Yorkshire, at Stormont, Tuesday, May 3rd): Jason Molins (unattached) capt, Jeremy Bray, Trent Johnston (both Clontarf), Andre Botha, John Mooney (both North County), Peter Gillespie (Strabane), Dom Joyce (Merrion/Dublin University), Johan Botha (Malahide), Adrian McCoubrey (Cliftonville), Kyle McCallan (Waringstown), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Gordon Cooke (Brigade).
LEINSTER UNDER-17 (v NCU Under-17 at Civil Service CC, Phoenix Park, this Sunday, 12.0 start): E Delaney (Clontarf) capt, D Campion (Merrion), M Dwyer (The Hills), C Geraghty (Malahide), R Keaveney (Merrion), M Kumar (Phoenix), T Lawson (Clontarf), D Russell (North County), T Shiels (North County), K Tonetti (Merrion), H Whelan (Clontarf). 12th man: I Bertram (North County). Coach: R Daly.
