Latest news with #SionMills
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Ireland cricket: 'For Bready to get the West Indies is huge'
It is a village of just a few hundred people, yet it is going to host to one of the major cricket teams in the world. Magheramason, in County Tyrone, is the home of Bready Cricket Club where the West Indies are seeking revenge against Ireland for a sore that has lasted more than half a last time the two sides faced off in the north west was back in 1969 at Sion Mills, when Ireland recorded a historic victory over the "Windies" by bowling them out for just 25 weather-permitting, thousands will attend three T20 matches between the teams on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, with many more around the world watching on TV. Chairman of Bready Cricket Club Norman Allen said the bigger games tend to go to Dublin and Belfast, so for them to get the West Indies was "huge"."We are determined to show Cricket Ireland that we can put on cricket as good as anybody," he told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today Colhoun, 87, from Sion Mills, was Ireland's wicketkeeper in the clash against the West Indies 56 years ago."The ground was completely packed, there was maybe 3,000 people because this was a really big deal to have the West Indies here," he the local boy, he was tasked with taking the West Indies team to their hotel in Lifford, County led to speculation that Ossie had taken the team for a drink and that that was why they were off their game the next day."When we went over the bar was closed, they got no drink at all," he will be at the match on Saturday to ring the bell. 'Mops and brushes' The final preparations to get the cricket ground ready have been taking place all Rough, the interim general manager for the North West Cricket Union, said it was all hands to the pump."We've got people who normally work in finance and people who go out coaching dressing curtains, running around with mops and brushes, everybody is prepared to help," she addition to the matches, there are corporate events, a kids zone and a food village showcasing local half-time entertainment will be Irish and Scottish dancers and bagpipes."It is stressful but it is really exciting, we are all really invested," added Kathryn. However, the biggest pressure is probably being felt by Trevor Hamilton, who is in charge of making sure the ground is in peak condition."I would say my sleep at night isn't the same as usual, so it comes with a lot of nerves," he said."But I've been a lifelong member of Bready Cricket Club and so it's an immense honour to be hosting Ireland and the West Indies."Ironically, Bready's cricket colours are similar to the West Indies is because the people who set up the club loved the West Indies and were inspired by their culture of cricket."For this club to actually be able to host the West Indies is really special for all the cricketers here, but also for the local people to have international sport on their doorstep," added Kathryn Rough.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ireland aim to 'turn big results into series wins'
Ireland assistant coach Gary Wilson says the team are aiming to turn big one-off wins into series successes as they prepare to face the West Indies in three T20 internationals at Bready. The teams drew their ODI series in May, with Ireland winning the first match, the second ending in a draw after a lengthy rain delay and the tourists running out convincing winners in the third game. Advertisement The Irish side has won three and lost three of their previous T20Is against the West Indies and triumphed by nine wickets in the last meeting between the sides in the T20 format in a World Cup encounter in Hobart in 2022. Ireland also secured a shock nine-wicket win on the last occasion the West Indies visited the north west, after bowling their opponents out for just 25 runs at Sion Mills back in 1969. "We have had a decent record against the West Indies over the past number of years and it's a great place to play cricket here. The locals really get behind it. It's a hotbed of Irish cricket," observed Wilson. "Obviously we know how good they are in this form of cricket - it's definitely the format they feel most comfortable in but we're looking forward to the challenge and hopefully the weather plays ball. Advertisement "We've shown a big ability to get big results, especially on the global stage over the last number of years, now we're looking to put that into series wins rather than one-off games." The T20 games take place on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. 'We'll get after it' - Adair West Indies lost all three of their T20Is against England in recent days, but returning pace bowler Mark Adair knows they will be formidable opposition. Adair returns to the squad after missing the ODI series through injury but Craig Young, Curtis Campher and Gareth Delany have been ruled out. "They're one of the best teams in the world in my opinion. I think they've got some of the most exciting cricketers and are one of the most entertaining teams to watch," observed Adair. Advertisement "This is a fresh challenge and we'll get after it. Hopefully we can do the business." "The aspiration is to win the series. I think we match up pretty well and I'm looking forward to getting back out there." In addition to Adair's return, Tim Tector, younger brother of experienced batter Harry, comes into the squad for the triple header, along with Stephen Doheny and spin bowler Gavin Hoey. "Mark is a big player for us and has been for the past 24 months, if not longer," said assistant coach Wilson. "He's plying his trade around the world now and it's great that he's getting that recognition because he has put in some match-winning performances for us. Advertisement "Tim is here on merit and he's shown over a period of time in interpro cricket that he's got good run-scoring ability in this form of the game and I'm sure he's looking forward to the opportunity."
