Photo © ECC

The West Indies named three Test players (batsman and captain Daren Ganga and quick bowlers Marlon Black and Reon King) and an ODI player (all-rounder Jermaine Lawson) in their 'A' squad which recently played two games against Ireland in the North West and Dublin.

Irish coach Adrian Birrell described it as "a hugely exciting line-up with attacking batsmen and even more attacking bowlersÖ There's also no doubt that 'A' players put everything into each game they play - they're either trying to regain their place in the full Test side or striving to win their first cap. There's every incentive for them to perform at their peak."

Photo © ECC

For Birrell the two games presented another opportunity to get to know his Irish players since taking over as national coach in April. "I've already got to know the players - and those 'knocking on the door' - very well through squad sessions, club games and the new Inter-Regional Challenge matches, but really there's no better way of judging players than seeing them perform out in the middle against top level opposition. And, make no mistake about it, the West Indies are a top class side."