THE Newstalk Interpro T20 series reaches its climax today with a double-header blitz at Sydney Parade. It sees the Leinster Lightning needing two wins to keep the trophy they won in the inaugural of the competition.

It also offers the home team a taste of the future without Trent Johnston as the coach prepares to pack his bags and take up a post as assistant coach at New South Wales. Johnston is missing this weekend too with the Ireland Women playing in England, but he won't be ever again be at the matchday reins of the Lightning side he took to two titles out of three last season.

"We always knew TJ was going to be away for these games," explained manager Mark Jones, "but the new job means he'll be away for the last two now as well."

Johnston's place for the rest of the summer will be taken by former teammate Jeremy Bray.

"We were looking for cover and Jeremy's work with Denmark was over for the summer, and he was the ideal man to come. But I haven't spoken to him and don't really know his plans are with Denmark."

Bray – who preceded Johnston as coach of the Ireland Women – coached the Danes in the World League Division 4 tournament last month, but missed out on promotion after a surprise defeat to Italy.

Jones knows he has a big pair of boots to fill when Johnston jets out in September.

"He's a consummate professional incredible to work with. He's so meticulous in everything he does. I can't quite call him 'a joy' to work with," he chuckled, "but he's always striving to do things better."

Today, Leinster stick with the side that won in Comber, and welcome back John Anderson after injury. They have their share of explosive batsmen, with Andrew Poynter, John Mooney and Kenny Carroll all capable of taking the game away from opponents. But most eyes in Pembroke will be on two of their own who are on their way to greater things.

Highly rated at Lord's, Andrew Balbirnie has already made his Middlesex debut and is released for this weekend's action. He links up with Barry McCarthy, who missed out on his first cap when rain submerged Coleraine last Sunday, and has spent this week playing for Durham 2nds alongside two other Irishmen, Peter Chase and Stu Poynter.

Leinster will need to overcome both Northern Knights, who feature ex-Malahide man Shane Getkate, and the North-West Warriors, who gave them a hammering in Bready last month. They will need to watch batsman David Rankin, who has made two of the three biggest scores in the tournament this year, and spinner Rishi Chopra who is being widely tipped for a bright future. Warriors are without Ardmore all-rounder Andrew Riddles who is attending his daughter's christening.

The dynamic T20 format is most attractive to spectators and with the Pembroke club the spiritual home of 20 overs cricket, a modest €6 entry with Under-16s and Cricket Ireland members free, a bumper attendance is expected.


Lightning: J Mooney (capt, North County), J Anderson, T Kane (Merrion), A Balbirnie, B McCarthy (Pembroke), P Collins, K Carroll (Railway Union), F McAllister (Malahide), A Poynter (Clontarf), E Richardson (North County), M Sorensen (The Hills), A van der Merwe (YMCA)


Knights: A White (capt, Instonians), J Cameron-Dow, N Larkin (North Down), A Coulter, S Getkate, N Jones (CSNI), C Dougherty, N Waller (CIYMS), L Nelson (Waringstown), Z Rushe, J Shannon (Instonians), D Simpson (Lisburn)


Warriors: A McBrine (captain, Donemana), B Allen (Fox Lodge), A Britton, M Moran, J Thompson (Brigade), S Campbell, R Chopra (Coleraine), R-L Dougherty, G McClintock (Donemana), D Rankin, C Young (Bready), S Thompson (Eglinton)