Chopra and Magee included in Warriors squad for opener

Interprovincial cricket makes its long awaited return to the domestic schedule on Thursday as the Warriors welcome a highly-touted Knights side to Bready for a T20 cup clash.

Ian McGregor’s men will be without pace bowlers Boyd Rankin and Conor Olphert due to injury but there remains a real blend of youth and experience in the home squad.

Skipper Andy McBrine is one of five Irish Internationals in the North West ranks alongside William Porterfield, Craig Young, Stuart Thompson and David Rankin.

Ross Allen and the two Grahams- Hume and Kennedy- boast plenty of experience at this level, however there is plenty of youthful exuberance making up the 12.

Will Smale, who made his debut for the Warriors last summer, looks set to take the gloves while Nathan McGuire is another youngster that many will be looking forward to seeing in the blue and green.

Brigade’s Kyle Magee and Varun Chopra of Coleraine get well-deserved opportunities to feature at this level as the Warriors’ selectors quite rightly look to the future in this strangest of seasons.

All eyes will be on Paul Stirling at the top of the Knights’ order but just this once it will be fine by the home side if our world-class International opener doesn’t get going.

Action gets under way at 1.30 at Magheramason and we’ll be keeping everything crossed for a break from the weather for an intriguing game.

McBrine, Andy (c)
Allen, Ross
Chopra, Varun
Hume, Graham
Kennedy, Graham
Magee, Kyle
McGuire, Nathan
Porterfield, William
Rankin, David
Smale, Will
Thompson, Stuart
Young, Craig