Ireland Reveal 2013 Contracted Player List

Ireland Reveal 2013 Contracted Player List

William Porterfield retains his place on Ireland's list of contracted players for the 2013 season

©International Cricket Council

Cricket Ireland have named a list of 17 players who have been awarded contracts for the 2013 season, with Max Sorensen among those being rewarded.

After an impressive 2012 season, Sorensen has been awarded an 'A' grade contract along with Trent Johnston, John Mooney, Alex Cusack and Kevin O'Brien.

Grade B deals have been given to George Dockrell, Ed Joyce, Tim Murtagh, Niall O'Brien, William Porterfield, Paul Stirling, Andrew White and Gary Wilson.

A new Grade C deal for players who are still in full-time education has been awarded to Peter Chase, Tyrone Kane, James Shannon and Stuart Thompson.

Cricket Ireland will also hand five young promising cricketers Grade D deals with those players set to be revealed in the near future.

"We are pleased to retain players on ‘A’ and ‘B’ category contracts from last year, and all of them still have a great deal to achieve on the international stage," Cricket Ireland Performance Director Richard Holdsworth said.

"It is important Cricket Ireland has plans for the future, and whilst 2013 will be a huge year for the team, we must also look ahead to major ICC events – the World Twenty20 in 2014 and the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand the following year.

"We have therefore awarded a full ‘A’ contract to Max Sorensen who impressed everyone in 2012, taking 31 wickets at just 17 runs each in the 21 games he played.

"We have also awarded ‘C’ category contracts to four younger players who we see as a key part of our future. Nine of the 17 contracted players are also contracted to English counties, and our close relationships with those counties will hopefully allow them to play for Ireland as much as possible in addition to the ICC mandatory matches in season.  In due course we shall be offering an additional five ‘D’ contracts to players who we feel have long-term potential, and these will be announced in time.

"The new Inter-Provincial series of 3-day, one-day and Twenty20 formats to commence in late April, will give players not contracted to English counties a much higher standard of cricket and the opportunity to impress the national selectors, national coach and support staff."

© Cricket World 2013