THE new Super3 series will be “invaluable” to women’s cricket in Ireland says senior player Isobel Joyce.
The three-team event for the best players in the country kicked off a week ago and has already shown its potential.
Having a bridge between club and international teams has long been a problem, with no meaningful interpro competition being possible for several years.
“It’s a great idea”, says Joyce, who has won more than 100 Irish caps, “but it’s going to take a while to settle in.”
The 42 players were divided into squads of 14, called the Dragons (captained by Mary Waldron and coached by Rob O’Connor), Scorchers (Kim Garth, Chris Siddell) and Typhoons (Elena Tice, Matt Lunson).
The coaches are all Ireland selectors.
With funding from ICC Europe the teams will play in both T20 and 50-over formats with all games at weekends.
So far the Typhoons have lost twice, missing out on key players last weekend when they were overpowered by the Dragons.
There are very few 50 over club games and the longer format has been an eye opener to some players.
“Hannah Grieve told me that was the first time she had ever fielded 50 overs”, said Joyce, “so it will take a few of the players time to learn how to put together an innings.”
Dragons coach O’Connor agrees. “Some will find it tough,” he says, “but that’s the point of the competition. It will give them the experience for when they step up to Ireland.”
Joyce points to Katie Boylan of the Hills who was asked to open the bowling for the Scorchers.
“She got the chance and she stepped up and bowled really well. That’s what we need and the Super3s will give people a chance to step up.”
The sides include three women from the north and north-west and O’Connor says new national coach Aaron Hamilton is keen to grow the game in Ulster.
“You’ll see more promotion of women’s cricket as the talent is there. Hopefully we’ll get some representative games too.”
Meanwhile the Super3s move into T20 mode on the bank holiday weekend with three games each on Saturday and Monday in Rathmines.
You can follow the competition on twitter at @irishwomenscric.
“It’s funny, there was a fear that the games would be too friendly, but they’ve really got into it,” says O’Connor.
“They’ve become really passionate and competitive about representing their teams.”
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One of the big calls that John Bracewell has to make in the coming weeks is who keeps wicket for Ireland. Phil Simmons preferred Gary Wilson, despite most evidence pointing to Niall O'Brien as the superior gloveman.
Even a protest from senior bowlers didn't budge the Trinidadian,
By coincidence, the pair were in opposition last week for only the second time as county keepers.
O'Brien made 16 and 78, Wilson 18 and 10, while the Surrey man edged the catches by 4-3.
Wilson also shipped 10 byes to O'Brien's one but as the ball hardly got through to the keeper with Kevin Pietersen smashing 356* we can downplay this stat.
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Big runs for a former Irish international at the weekend.
James Hall’s 206* for Waringstown against Academy is the highest score ever in the NCU Challenge Cup, beating Raman Lamba’s 203* almost 30 years ago, the first in senior competition in the NCU.
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Thursday: Leinster Div 1: North County v Malahide, Div 2: Trinity v Balbriggan;
Women’s Div1: North Kildare v Hills, YMCA v Leinster, Malahide v Pembroke
Friday: IP20: Leinster Lightning v NW Warriors, Anglesea Rd (5pm)
Saturday: Irish Senior Cup Rd1: Fox Lodge v Co Galway, Strabane v Railway, Malahide v Instonians, Merrion v CIYMS, National Cup Rd1: Burndennett v Academy, Cliftonville v Balbriggan, Drummond v N Kildare, Dundrum v Creevedonnell, Leinster Div1: Cork County v YMCA; Div2: Dublin Univ v Rush
Sunday: County Championship: Ireland Women v Essex
Monday: Ireland Women v Staffordshire