Leinster Lightning open the defence of their Interprovincial Championship crown against the North West Warriors at Castle Avenue this morning (11am) with a number of interesting inclusions in their squad.

Clontarf skipper Eoghan Delany, YMCA spinner Yaqoob Ali Shah and Leinster CC all-rounder Joe Carroll are all in line to make their debuts in the three-day format with Leinster.

Carroll, 24, represented Tasmania at under-17 and under-19 level and possesses an Irish passport. As well as being a hard-hitting batsman he also adds to the pace options for Lightning skipper John Mooney against a Warriors side that includes two South African professionals in Michael Loubser and Marco Morais.

Meanwhile, Kevin Pietersen hit a career-best 326 not out for Surrey in their match against Leicestershire at The Oval as he continues to try and earn a recall to the England Test side.