- Club Captain: Ross Durity
- Players In: Byron McDonough & Swaroop Burra
- Young Players to watch: Eshan O’Sullivan & Sunil Gautam
2021 promises to be a fresh start for Cork County who had to sit out the 2020 Leinster season due to the logistical restrictions imposed by Covid last summer.
The club had a relatively successful season by winning the Munster T20 competition and then giving eventual winners YMCA a scare in the All-Ireland T20 Semi-Final.
Ross Durity returns as club captain to bring a wealth of experience and leadership to the side with some talented all-rounders including Rudolph Pollard, Abubakar Saddique and Alex Gasper complimented by the Munster Heat contingent of Harvey Wootton, Diarmuid Carey and Byron McDonough.
Youngsters Eshan O’Sullivan and Sunil Gautam had the opportunity to get another season of experience under their belt in 2020 and will be hoping to continue their development this summer by aiming to become regular features in the side over the coming months.
Ross Durity added: “With no overseas professional this season, it will very much be a squad effort and the attitude thus far in an ultra-condensed ‘pre-season’ has been excellent despite the weather! The attitude of the squad has been top class since we resumed training and with a very much a settled squad from last summer, we hope to cause a surprise or two this season.
“The early T20 competition will be a good test for the squad against some quality opposition so will give us a good indication of where we are and where we can improve. We’re all keen to get back to the 50 over format having missed out on that last summer so I think all the lads are looking forward to that in July onwards.”
Despite the poor recent weather and the rescheduling of IP fixtures, groundsman Matt Reed has got The Mardyke in good nick and we are certainly looking forward to welcoming clubs throughout the year and hopefully, some supporters later in the summer if the guidance allows.
The action kicks off on Bank Holiday Monday with Clontarf as visitors to the Mardyke.
(source: cricketeurope.com)