Tom Stanton leads out the Merrion 1st XI for the first time in their game against North Kildare at The Maws [14.00].
Welcome to the two debutants for the club, Amish Sidhu, who has moved across the Liffey from Phoenix, and Michael Cowdrey who has his first senior game in Ireland.
With Tyrone Kane missing travelling with the Irish team to the UK, there are opportunities for Hugh Kennedy and Jamie McNulty to stake a claim for a permanent spot in the attack. It is looking like a strong spin combination with Cowdrey and Sidhu providing more variety. The batting once again will look to Dom Joyce and John Anderson to lay the foundations, but contributions will be called for down the order. Michael Lewis takes over the gloves this year.
Other games at home this weekend – the 4th XI are at Anglesea Road today to take on Pembroke 4 and the 2nd XI take on Balbriggan 2 on Sunday.
During the week Merrion Women 1st XI had their first match of the season against the current Champions Leinster. It was a tight fought game with Leinster chasing down the Merrion score in the 20th over to win by six wickets.