Paul Stirling admits representing Belfast in European T20 Premier League 'really special'
Paul Stirling admits representing hometown Belfast in the inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL) is “really special” as the Wolves prepare for an opening fixture against Dublin Guardians on Thursday.
The Wolves side, which will be captained by Australian superstar Glenn Maxwell, has a strong local connection with Holywood’s Mark Adair and Matthew Humphreys, who is from Belfast, joining Stirling in the squad.
Ireland’s Twenty20 captain Lorcan Tucker and international team-mates Tim Tector and Gavin Hoey are also representing the Belfast team.
The new franchise tournament got underway in Voorburg on Wednesday – the Dutch venue and Malahide in Dublin will host all 32 matches with the final being staged on September 20.
Ireland legend Kevin O’Brien has been appointed as head coach of a Wolves panel that also includes the likes of England’s Chris Jordan, David Miller of South Africa and New Zealand batsman Devon Conway.
Stirling is excited to get Belfast’s campaign underway against many familiar faces on Thursday and believes the home connection gives the fresh team a special feel.
"It’s quite nice that a lot of the lads are from Belfast, born and bred,” Stirling said on the ETPL’s media channels. “That’s what makes it feel special for myself, it feels like I’m playing for my hometown in a franchise competitions – it’s really special.
"The local Irish players are really good players and they’ll be able to show what they’re worth to the world.
"Everybody is excited about that.
"It’s nice to have a core group...we have the Ireland T20 captain in Lorcan Tucker, who will be a huge player for us with the gloves and bat.
"Some experienced players in franchise cricket too, Mark Adair has taken loads of wickets, so we’re excited.
"We feel like we have got a really good squad, I know it’s easy to say on paper and cricket isn’t played on paper, but the Belfast Wolves look really strong.
“You always want to win the inaugural competition and that’s what we’ll be aiming to do.”
A host of high-profile players are taking part in the tournament with Australia’s Tim David and Steve Smith representing Amsterdam while Indian legend Ravichandran Ashwin is captain of Dublin.
Belfast Wolves squad for ETPL: Glenn Maxwell ©, Mark Adair, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Matthew Humphreys, Gavin Hoey, Zainullah Ihsan, Chris Jordan, Fred Klaassen, Harry Manenti, David Miller, Saurabh Netravalkar, Alex Roy, Paul Stirling, Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Crishan Kalugamage.