Nigel Jones will take charge of the Northern Knights for their opening match of the inter-pro series against Leinster Lightning at Stormont on Monday (10:45am).

Jones takes the captain's armband in the absence of James Shannon who is serving a one-match suspension from Cricket Ireland carried over from last season.

Instonians' new opening bowler Robert McKinley is another absentee from the squad, along with Waringstown batsman James McCollum - both have university commitments.

Civil Service professional Mansoor Amjad is included as an overseas player. The 28 year-old all-rounder is a Pakistan international.

His Stormont team mate Graeme McCarter is another debutant - the Irish international joined Civil Service from Coleraine earlier this year.

Waringstown have four players in the 12 man squad. Left arm bowlers Phil Eaglestone and Gary Kidd are joined by spinning all-rounders Lee Nelson and Greg Thompson.

North Down have two players included - talented leg-spinner Jacob Mulder and hard hitting all-rounder Peter Eakin.

Carrick's Jamie Holmes makes the squad after impressing in their pre-season win against Denmark, along with CIYMS opener Chris Dougherty, who also scored a half century in the match.

New Instonians captain Nikolai Smith completes a strong looking squad which is packed with all-rounders, giving stand-in skipper Jones plenty of options.

NORTHERN KNIGHTS SQUAD

Nigel Jones (captain) (CIYMS), Mansoor Amjad (CSNI), Chris Dougherty (CIYMS), Phil Eaglestone (Waringstown), Peter Eakin (North Down), Jamie Holmes (Carrickfergus), Gary Kidd (Waringstown), Graeme McCarter(CSNI), Jacob Mulder (North Down), Lee Nelson (Waringstown), Nikolai Smith (Instonians), Greg Thompson (Waringstown).