Leinster face biggest test in competitive Interprovincial Series
Tomorrow is the starting point for this year’s Hanley Energy Interprovincial Series three-day competition. The Leinster Lightning, who have secured thirteen of the fifteen trophies available to them since the Interpros started, will look to add three more this year under the leadership of Albert van der Merwe and newly appointed captain, George Dockrell. However, this year could prove to be the toughest yet for the Lightning squad, with improvements being made to both other unions going into this year’s competition.
Van Der Merwe, who is encountering his second season in charge of the Leinster Lightning, is hoping to gain back-to-back wins for his province in all formats of the competition. However, he admits that this year the “standard has been lifted” and that “this will be Leinster’s biggest test in this competition ever.” The reason for this is the return of Irish internationals from country cricket in England. For example, both the current Irish captain William Porterfield and tall, lean fast bowler Boyd Rankin have returned to play for the North West Warriors this year.
Therefore, Van Der Merwe knows that the Leinster side must be at the top of their game from the first ball of the season. He tells me how the side has gone through some good team bonding sessions recently, “We had an activity morning last Sunday and went and did paintball. We then went back to Leinster Cricket Club for a team review session and media training with Peter O’Reilly.” The Leinster coach deemed this day to be crucial, especially given the recent ball-tampering saga with the Australia national team. “We just had to review our team’s cultures and values, to make sure we are playing the right way and within the spirit of the game.”
Also this year, the first step towards a more franchise based interprovincial system is being made. Both Leinster and Ireland underage players Harry Tector and Neil Rock have been declared to play for the Northern Knights, to gain vital interpro experience. Van Der Merwe sees this as a big positive and insists that Irish cricket could “learn a lot from the Irish rugby model, the unions all buy into the national product.” However the concept is new and the Lightning coach realises that “some people don’t like change”. Irish cricket have to be “careful with how it’s done” and to make sure it doesn’t ever become “a farming system.” However, he admits that in this instance the “Knights were very agreeable and accommodating of the moves.”
The interprovincial setup is trying everything it can do to appeal to a bigger audience. Some clever techniques have been implemented this season. Van der Merwe tells me that it just takes “a bit of clever planning at times.” An inaugural Twenty20 weekend in Pembroke this year is a stepping stone. This is a great concept, playing six of the games shortest format over a two-day weekend. It is seen by van der Merwe to be a “great event for exposure of sponsors” and that it is a “good test for all the unions.” He also added that such a weekend “could be implemented in both Belfast and Bready” in the near future. “It’s an element of opportunity for players to perform in front of crowds and national selectors.”
Albert Van Der Merwe still plays at a high level, with the South-African born batsman and off-spinner plying his trade for The Hills in the Mason Alexander LHW Financial Planning Leinster Premier Division. He is still very happy as he “still enjoys playing cricket” and will continue to do so until it may become not feasible. He expects plenty from his Leinster Lightning players when they are playing for their respective clubs. “They have to perform as they’re the top end of the system. They must walk the walk and keep to the standards we set.” His advice to his players for future selection is simple; “Give me numbers, not just potential.”
Also this year, Leinster have arranged more fixtures for their “Lightning Bolts” team, the equivalent of the Leinster ‘A’ team. This is open for all players and is making sure that little to no players are slipping through the cracks. “We have to make sure we don’t alienate some guys through the cracks” said Van Der Merwe. The Leinster players can help out as well, with players giving their coach feedback from their respective clubs, this feedback can be “fairly thorough”.
This year is the first year of captaincy for George Dockrell, who this year has also taken over the reigns of Leinster Cricket Club. Alongside being captain of the Lightning, Dockrell has been placed on the selectors also. Van der Merwe sees this as another positive, with Dockrell being able to “learn the system” and at the end of the day, “he’s the one going out to play with the team selected.” Again, the availability of Dockrell all year will be invaluable for the Lightning side. “He is a massive player for us and puts across the work ethic and culture of intelligence we are looking for in our team” said van der Merwe.
It is sure to be another competitive and interesting Hanley Energy Interprovincial series in all formats this year. It all starts off tomorrow in Pembroke between the Lightning and the Warriors, who will strike first?