By Charles Randall

16 March 2013

Sunbury CC's Irish connection has been strengthened by the signing of Shane Getkate, the former Ireland Under-19 seam bowler, during his first summer as a member of the MCC Young Cricketers.

Getkate, 21, missed out on a central Ireland contract earlkier this month when fellow fringe players Peter Chase, Tyrone Kane, James Shannon and Stuart Thompson were all preferred, though his time at Lord's and in Surrey Championship cricket should enhance his experience. He follows Paul Stirling, the Middlesex and Ireland batsman into the Sunbury ranks with fellow  Ireland players and MCC Young Cricketers, Stuart Poynter and Andrew Balbirnie.

Getkate is of South African origin -- his grandfather played for Natal -- but most of his his age-group cricket was with Warwickshire and his club cricket with Dorridge CC. In 2012 he played in Ireland at district level and for Malahide CC in Dublin.

The 18-strong MCC Young Cricketers squad for 2013 includes 10 returning players alongside eight new signings, with Getkate joining the Ireland A wicketkeeper Stuart Poynter, also from Sunbury CC, back for a third and final year.

Another new face will be Chris Piesley, the Lordswood CC batsman with three first class appearances for Kent. His younger brother Shaun

Shaun, 17, and elder brother Richard, both wicketkeepers, have played for Kent 2nd XI. Harry Podmore, of Ealing CC, and Zain Shahzad, of Wanstead & Snaresbrook CC -- both very strong clubs -- should add penetration to the seam attack.

Existing MCC YC members include Billy Root, younger brother of England Test cricketer Joe, Liam Gough, son of ex-England fast bowler Darren, and Jamie Hoddle, son of former England footballer Glen.

Speaking about the squad, the MCC head coach Mark Alleyne said:

"The composition of the squad is slightly bowler heavy, but this presents an excellent opportunity for some of the senior all-rounders in the side to step up and take responsibility with the bat. The last couple of seasons have been frustrating results-wise, and while success for the YCs scheme isn’t always about winning individual matches, it is important to ensure that we are attracting the attention of county coaches with strong performances on the field. I want every player in the YCs squad to be out there and challenging for a county contract this summer."

The MCC YC squad will compete in the North Division of the ECB’s Second XI competitions in 2013 and will attend a pre-season training camp alongside a combined MCC Universities team in Abu Dhabi next month.

MCC Young Cricketers squad 2013

Mo Abid (leg spinner, Lancashire)

Afaq Babar (fast medium bowler, Northamptonshire)

Graham Clark (top order batsman, Durham)

Adam Dobb* (all-rounder, Nottinghamshire)

Shane Getkate (fast medium bowler, Ireland)

Liam Gough* (top order batsman, Northamptonshire)

Dan Hampton* (all-rounder, Berkshire)

Jamie Hoddle* (all-rounder, Berkshire)

Adam Hose* (top order batsman, Isle of Wight)

Scott Mckechnie* (wicketkeeper/batsman, Kent)

Chris Piesley (top order batsman, Kent)

Harry Podmore (fast medium bowler, Middlesex)

Jamie Porter* (all-rounder, Essex)

Jordan Price (fast medium bowler, Gloucestershire)

Stuart Poynter* (wicketkeeper/batsman, Ireland)

Jordan Rollings* (all-rounder, Sussex)

Billy Root* (top order batsman, Yorkshire)

Zain Shahzad (fast medium bowler, Essex)

* denotes those cricketers returning for a second or third year