It's a return to Interprovincial duty for several of the players as Bobby Rao's charges will be competing in their first competitive game of the new season at Stormont as they take on the Northern Knights. And despite being without his talismanic skipper Andy McBrine for the Belfast tussle the former Indian Test star was upbeat ahead of the big match.

“We were advised on Thursday night that Andy had been pulled out of our squad by Cricket Ireland to give him more time to rest up after sustaining a groin injury ahead of the Ireland “A” game at Lords recently. Andy is contracted to CI and therefore they are well within their rights to insist that he doesn't play any competitive cricket until they have assessed his fitness for next Friday's International in Dublin”.

“Of course it doesn't change the fact that he is a massive loss to us. Andy is a crucial part of the team, as a batsman a bowler and a captain and we will definitely miss his motivational edge in the field. Stuart Thompson will deputise and he is a very good replacement who himself gives plenty to the team on all fronts. Stuart took charge for last week's friendly in Strabane and I know he won't be found wanting”.

The new rules governing the one-day Interprovincial competition allow for one overseas player per side however while the Knights look set to play CIYMS professional Rassie van der Dussen, the Warriors have decided to stick with an all-local squad. The Belfast outfit boast a really strong panel this season- their ranks include former North West duo Chris Dougherty and Phil Eaglestone- however Coach Rao has never been afraid to go out on a limb.

“This is how we've done things from the beginning so we believe that the right way for the North West is to use the base of players who have served us throughout. We have lost Johnny Thompson from last year's squad but Graeme McCarter has come in and that evens things up. We had the option of using an overseas player, and while I'm sure it will be discussed again before the season is over; now is not the right time for us”.

The Knights lost their opening Interprovincial game in the T20 format at today's venue when they were narrowly beaten by Leinster Lightning on Friday night so they could well be licking their wounds. Skipper Andrew White looks certain to add van der Dussen as they bid to continue their good run of results against their Northern neighbours while Thompson and Rao will wait until the last minute before deciding on their starting XI.

Wicket-keeper Ricky-Lee Dougherty is the main issue for the Warriors- the Donemana player suffered a serious hand injury over the winter and the coaching staff wanted to see how he would come out of Saturday's game at St Johnston before deciding whether to play him. As a precautionary measure, selectors named Bready keeper/batsman Andrew Austin in their 12 meaning that if Dougherty doesn't make the game they have a like-for-like replacement.

Ryan Hunter and Craig Averill are also in Rao's team- the former could well be used to partner David Rankin at the top of the order meaning David Barr would then slot in at three. Craig Young's inclusion is a real boost to the attack, as indeed is Graeme McCarter's while skipper Thompson gives the side genuine seam options.

Time will tell whether the inclusion or otherwise of a professional would have made much difference this time however the North West lads look as if they will still be a real handful as their campaign gets under way.