The inaugural edition of the Global Power Cricket League (GPCL) is around the corner and the participating teams have started unveiling their squad for the T20 tournament.
One of the eight teams featuring in the competition is from Ireland, going by the name of Irish Olives.
They recently revealed their 13-member squad, which includes Ruhan Pretorius as captain. Pretorius is a South African cricketer but he has played cricket in Ireland since 2015. He has become eligible for international selection through residency for the Ireland cricket team this year.
Ruhan Pretoriusis quite a well-known name in the South African and Ireland domestic circuit. The fast-bowling all-rounder has played 62 First-Class matches, claiming 157 wickets and scoring 2610 runs with one century. In List A cricket, he has taken 61 wickets and scored 1663 runs from 69 games.
As far as his T20 exploits are concerned – Pretoriusis has picked 31 scalps from 47 matches at an economy rate of 7.60. He has also scored 635 runs in the shortest format with two half-centuries.
Read More: Fixtures unveiled for the inaugural edition of Global Power Cricket League (GPCL)
Since the GPCL organizers have made it mandatory for every team to include players of Indian origin in their line-up and the average age of the side shouldn’t be more than 25 years, Irish Olives have picked their squad accordingly.
The squad features Indian origin cricketers like Aditya Adey and Pavan Kartik. The Indian origin players don’t have the experience of playing high-octane T20 leagues and the environment of GPCL will certainly enhance their confidence and overall game.
For the inaugural edition of GPCL, slated to be held in Delhi from October 2 to October 9, Irish Olives are slotted in Pool B alongside Australian Golds, South African Emeralds and Sri Lankan Violets.
Irish Olives will open their campaign against Australian Golds on October 3.
Irish Olives Squad:
Ruhan Pretorius (c), James Dickinson, Lloyd Brown, Riyaad Henry, Matthew William Pillans, Sean Fischer-Keogh, Durness Mackay-Champion, Aditya Adey, George West, Joe Kinghorn, John Brydon, Pavan Kartik, CJ van der Walt
