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ETPL Previews | Belfast Wolves & Dublin Guardians

Bertus de Jong | 25-08-2026

So on then to the final instalment of out ETPL team previews, where it’s time to take a look at the two Irish sides; the Belfast Wolves and the Dublin Guardians. As primus inter pares among the three host boards, Ireland will have the privilege of hosting the back end of thee league phase and finals at Malahide, meaning the two Irish teams will enjoy the advantage of familiar conditions at the business end of the tournament. They’ll be looking to hit the ground running at Voorburg first though, and Westvliet isn’t entirely unfamiliar territory for much of the Irish contingent (nor even for half their overseas).

Belfast Wolves

The Belfast franchise, initially dubbed the Irish Wolves, are fronted by Australia all rounder Glenn Maxwell and backed by Rohan Lund’s Floodlight Capita. The Wolves played their cards fairly close to their chest in the lead-up to the tournament, only announcing their overseas signings late last month, along with head coach Kevin O’Brien. Besides co-owner/captain Maxwell, the full member overseas contingent comprises New Zealanders Devon Conway and Mark Chapman alongside England quick Chris Jordan and South Africa stalwart David Miller. O’Brien also brought in two of his Italian charges in Harry Manenti and Krishan Kalugamage, with former USA skipper Saurabh Netravalkar the third Associate signing.

Current Ireland T20 captain Lorcan Tucker was snapped up ahead of the draft along with Mark Adair and Gavin Hoey. The Belfast selectors then bagged left arm spinner Matt Humphreys as their first draft pick, followed by Netherlands seamer Fred Klaassen, home batters Tim Tector and Paul Stirling, teen Scotland quick Zainullah Ishan and finally recent Dutch debutant Alex Roy.

The Wolves prioritising Tector over his senior Ireland opening partner in Stirling at the draft might imply that the youngster could start ahead of the veteran, paired with Conway at the top of the order, though it would be a bold move to bench the former Ireland skipper even if his recent form has been poor. His successor, Tucker, will doubtless take the gloves and, barring all of the above starting, in all likelihood also his usual spot at three. Chapman, Miller and Manenti will likely be competing for the next two slots in the batting order, though the latter has the advantage of not taking up a full member overseas slot.

Maxwell himself will presumably play at six or seven, as has been his wont of late in both franchise and international cricket. Ross Adair has played a similar lower order punisher role for Ireland (most notably finishing top of the run-scoring tables on Ireland’s most recent series at Westvliet) and given the paucity of genuine bowling all-rounders in the side the Wolves will likely try to make room for both.

Of the remaining bowlers Jordan alone boasts significant batting pedigree at the top level, and his value both at eight and in the field make him a very probable starter. The Wolves eagerness to lock in slow southpaw Humphreys and leggie Hoey suggest that the pair are their first choice spin options, though O’Brien is also known to rate Kalugamage’s legspin highly, while Chapman is also a more useful left arm spin option.

The competition for spots will likely be fiercest among the remaining seamers, Klaassen arguably having the edge as he provides a left-arm option, while Netravalkar’s canny death bowling would come at the cost of an Associate overseas spot. Given the length of the competition both Roy and Ihsan will likely rotate in at some point, though it would be something of a surprise to see either take the field for game one.

Depending on how they balance selection, the Wolves may find themselves with a comparatively long tail (by franchise standards) though the explosive menace of the lower order arguably makes up for it. There’s plenty of depth in the spin section, though Maxwell himself is the sole frontline offie, meaning opposing left handers may pose a problem in the middle. The stable of quicks is plentiful and varied however, and Maxwell should have a tool handy for any job that crops up.

Belfast Wolves squad: Glenn Maxwell (c)[OS-AUS], Devon Conway [OS-NZ], Mark Chapman [OS-NZ], David Miller [OS-SA], Chris Jordan [OS-ENG], Harry Manenti [AP-ITA], Krishan Kalugamage [AP-ITA], Saurhab Netravalkar [AP-USA], Lorcan Tucker (wk)[IRE], Gavin Hoey [IRE], Matthew Humphreys [IRE], Fred Klaassen [NED], Tim Tector [IRE], Paul Stirling [IRE], Zainullah Ihsan [SCO], Alex Roy [NED]

Dublin Guardians

The final* franchise sale was also the one to make the most waves around the world, with news that Ravi Ashwin and Rahul Dravid (previous linked to one of the Scottish franchises) would be co-owners of the Dublin Guardians. Ashwin himself will captain the side, while Vikram Rathour takes up the reins as coach (ably assisted by Ed Joyce). Much like Belfast, Dublin held off on announcing overseas signings until fairly late in the day, with James Vince, Chris Wood, Daryl Mitchell and Vijay Shankar announced just a few weeks out. The Guardians have also signed up a total of four Associate overseas, picking up Americans Sanjay Krishnamurti and Harmeet Singh along with former UAE skipper Waseem Khan and the Greece-affiliated (though as yet uncapped) Peter Hatzoglou.

Josh Little and vice-captain-designate Harry Tector were signed ahead of the draft, and gloveman Ben Cailitz bagged first up in the draft to cover keeping duties. The next picks went on George Dockrell, Matthew Hollard and Craig Young, followed by Dutch deputy keeper Noah Croes and finally Scotland’s Chris Greaves.

Vince and Waseem are the opening pair apparent, assuming the latter isn’t called away to the ACC Premier Cup on national duty. Mitchell has also opened in the past, but he’s been coming in down the order of late and a hip strain picked up in the West Indies last month leaves his initial fitness in doubt. Vice captain Tector is assured of a spot in the top four regardless, and with Cailitz likely taking the gloves the Candian-Irish keeper can probably be pencilled in at five or six. There’s certainly a strong case for also including Croes in the XI however, the Voorburg skipper’s form and local knowledge already militating in his favour, as does his near-faultless slip fielding. If all six play that would likely crowd out Krishnamurthi, though the American could fill most any top order role should any of the above sit out (or drop out).

Shankar has been playing as a lower order pinch hitter it the LPL, a role that will likely fall to George Dockrell in this side, especially given the lack of an equivalent impact sub rule in the competition. Harmeet Singh is another left arm spin option with an excellent (if limited) record at Westvliet, bagging 3 for 8 in 4 in his last visit to Voorburg. Legspinner Hatzoglou has a still stronger local pedigree though, having played for Voorburg on several occasions and contributing heavily with bat and ball. That probably puts him ahead of Greaves for the wrist-spin slot (if there is one) for the Dutch leg of the competition at least.

Shankar’s chief value remains his role as the sole proven seam all-rounder in the side, even if he hasn’t bowled much at elite level this year. The Guardians’ stable of seamers is not to be sniffed at, but playing all of Wood, Hollard, Little and Young would leave the Guardians with an alarmingly long tail. Wood looks all but indispensable, especially at the death given Little’s dubious form since returning from injury. Playing both Wood and Shankar would push out a full member overseas bat however, leaving the top order looking somewhat underpowered and untested at elite level.

All told, for a travelling team the Guardians boast a remarkable amount of local pedigree for the Voorburg leg, a solid battery of local seamers and a selection of spinners that can all contribute contribute down the order. Nonetheless their selection dilemmas are arguably more acute than those of any of their rivals, and getting enough staying power with the bat and firepower with the ball into the same eleven looks a problem positively Gordian in its complexity.

Dublin Guardians squad: Ravichandaran Ashwin (c)[OS-IND], James Vince [OS-ENG], Chris Wood [OS-ENG], Vijay Shankar [OS-IND], Daryl Mitchell [OS-NZ], Muhammad Waseem [AP-UAE], Peter Hatzoglou [OS-HEL], Sanjay Krishnamurthi [AP-USA], Harmeet Singh [AP-USA], Harry Tector (vc)[IRE], Josh Little [IRE], Ben Cailitz [IRE], George Dockrell [IRE], Matthew Hollard [IRE], Craig Young [IRE], Noah Croes [NED], Chris Greaves [SCO]

*barring Edinburgh of course, which has since been de-sold.

Previous ETPL Previews: Amsterdam Flames & Rotterdam Dockers, Edinburgh Castle Rockers & Glasgow Cosmic

ETPL Previews | Edinburgh Castle Rockers & Glasgow Cosmic

Bertus de Jong | 24-08-2026

Though Europe’s newest franchise league is formally co-hosted by the Irish, Dutch and Scottish boards, in the case of Scotland the title of host is purely honorary, at least for the first edition. The Two Scottish franchises – dubbed the Edinburgh Castle Rockers and (eventually) Glasgow Cosmic – will be playing all their matches on foreign soil, first at Voorburg in the Netherlands and then at Malahide across the Irish Sea. Both Franchises have had some notable changes in the backroom and the boardroom ahead of the League, and a few late changes to the squads too. At press time there’s still room on the Glasgow roster for some surprise late additions, but with just two days to go before the first ball is bowled, here’s how the two travelling Scottish outfits are shaping up…

Edinburgh Castle Rockers

Arguably the most notable late shake-up in the League played out at the Edinburgh franchise, after the ownership group led by veteran Sports executive Rachel Wiseman backed out just weeks ahead of the tournament, and the team reverted to central ownership. The League organisers were always prepared to go ahead with five of six sold, but one imagines the late withdrawal won’t have been exactly welcomed. Trevor Bayliss was also a late appointment as head coach, announced as replacement for James Foster only yesterday, but the on field leadership group has stayed constant despite the changes in the back room.

New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner will lead the side on the field, while his compatriot Trent Boult also stays on board. There’s been a few switch-ups elsewhere in the overseas section however, with Shadhab Khan opting for a CPL stint after running into visa difficulties, while putative Rocker Liam Livingstone has somehow wound up at the rival Glasgow franchise. England pair Laurie Evans and Tom Curran come in as replacements, with Australia quick Andrew Tye rounding out the full member section.

The Associate and local pre-signed group has also seen some shake-ups, with the USA’s Rushil Ugarkar replacing the Emirates’ Khuzaima bin Tanveer, while Tom Bruce also withdrew owing to domestic commitments in New Zealand. US keeper-bat Dries Gous will be available however, having ducked out of the CPL early, with Sean Solia of Samoa and JJ Smuts (now affiliated to Italy) completing the four-man Associate contingent.

Scotland stalwarts Brandon McMullen and Mark Watt were locked in ahead of the local draft, though the Rockers notably spent two early draft picks on Irishmen, snapping up Gareth Delaney and Ross Adair in the first two rounds. Jack Jarvis, Safyaan Sharif, Finlay McCreath and Oliver Jones round out the roster, the latter a late replacement for Charlie Tear, who will remain with Sussex.

The early pick of Adair suggests the Irishman is a safe bet to take on of the opening slots, with Gous likely to take the second slot along with the gloves. Solia is another option at the top, and Evans habitually opens for Surrey, though the latter is in lacklustre form and may face less competition down the order, where he comes in for Birmingham Phoenix. Pushing Gous down a rung would also disturb McMullen from his accustomed slot at number three, where the all-rounder has been prolific for Scotland. That said, Santner may well be tempted to push himself up the order, as he did to great effect when last he captained a side at Voorburg, making a personal best 77* against the Netherlands, and doing so would alleviate the lack of other left handers in the top four.

Smuts, Solia and Evans are the other overseas top order options, though there will likely be room for two of the three at most, with Finlay McCreath the local option. Tom Curran could find himself in competition with Delaney for the finisher role, though there could be room for both at six and seven if Evans sits out. With at least two and potentially all of Santner, Watt and Smuts likely to start, the Rockers won’t be short of slow left armers, though notably late arrival Ollie Jones is the only dedicated right arm finger-spinning option, and with Shahdab Khan pulling out the Rockers are currently devoid of any wrist spin.

One would expect Boult and Tye both to start if fit and available, at least early in the competition when Westvliet is expected to favour the seamers. Ugarkar’s chances of a place in the eleven may be dictated by selections up the order, as the American will be competing with locals Jarvis and Sharif for the third seamer slot, with the latter bringing the benefit of experience and the former a potential middle order stop-gap with the bat.

In sum the Edinburgh squad is arguably the most unconventional in the league in terms of balance. Going for big name bowlers over top order bats could well pay off big at the top of the programme at Voorburg, though the southpaw-dominated slow section could prove somewhat one-dimensional if and when spin comes into play at the back end of each leg. The associate/local top order looks solid enough however, and the lower middle order potentially explosive. One can expect some dramatic see-saw performances from the Rockers both match to match and across the tournament, though they’ll have to find their rhythm quickly if they’re to prove title contenders.

Edinburgh Castle Rockers squad: Mitchell Santner (c)[OS-NZ], Trent Boult [OS-NZ], Tom Curran [OS-ENG], Laurie Evans [OS-ENG], Andrew Tye [OS-AUS], Andries Gous (wk)[AP-USA], Rushil Ugarkar [AP-USA], Sean Solia [AP-SAM], JJ Smuts [AP-ITA], Mark Watt [SCO], Brandon McMullen [SCO], Ross Adair [IRE], Gareth Delaney [IRE], Safyaan Sharif [SCO], Finlay McCreath [SCO], Jack Jarvis [SCO], Oliver Jones [SCO]

Glasgow Cosmic

Glasgow Cosmic, briefly known as the Glasgow Mugafians, have already have a remarkably storied history for a side yet to play a match. Backed by Indian AI-assisted entertainment conglomerate the Mugafi Group, the team was initially named for its owners’ mountain namesake before being rechristened “Cosmic” presumably in honour of Chris Gayle, the soi-disant Universe Boss, who has since parted ways with the franchise. The Cosmic kept the name and welcomed former Australia opener Matthew Hayden as coach/co-owner/frontman for the franchise.

Unique among the six sides in designating a local skipper, George Munsey will captain the Cosmic, taking the armband ahead of established Scotland skipper Richie Berrington, who was the Glaswegians’ second Scottish pre-signing. The overseas contingent has seen a remarkable turnover since the early announcements of Finn Allen, Kamindu Mendis, Josh Phillipe, Gerhad Erasmus, Duan Jansen – all since withdrawn – with the latter two set to face off at Windhoek for the upcoming Namibia-South Africa series. In their place come Proteas pair Keshav Maharaj and Lungi Ngidi (both given the above series off), along with Englishmen Jason Roy and Liam Livingstone and late announcement Jimmy Neesham, while USA’s Ali Khan and newest Portugal captain Moises Henriques make up the Associate overseas detachment.

Scotland spearhead Brad Currie was their first pick in the draft, swiftly followed by keeper Matt Cross. Dutch quick Paul van Meekeren was the only non-scot picked up in the local draft, followed by spinners Michael Leask and Oliver Davidson, and finally Chris McBride, the latter later replaced by Liam Naylor. With no further signings announced thus far, the Cosmic thus currently have a rather streamlined roster of just fifteen.

As it stands, barring last-minute signings or very left-field line-ups, the Cosmic’s default and only plausible opening pair looks certain to be Munsey and Roy (though it’s worth observing here that two very capable openers in erstwhile Ireland skipper Balbirnie and Voorburg prodigy de Lange are still available, having both been overlooked in the draft). The number three spot is a trickier question, as the Cosmic have something of a surfeit of fours and fives but few bats that have played much at first drop of late. Berrington and Cross have both played the role for Scotland in the past though, while Henriques hit his maiden T20I ton from three for Portugal just days ago.

Should Livingstone play ahead of Neesham or Maharaj then one imagines one of Berrington or Henriques will sit out, but at least early on in the tournament the former looks the most likely of the full member overseas to be left on the bench, with Maharaj and Leask offering left/right slow bowling options while Neesham takes the role of number six and fourth seamer. Switching Maharaj out for Davidson would free up a full member slot for Livingstone, which would diversify the spin options and add depth to the batting, but it’s likely that the Glaswegians will opt to field a full pace battery for the first match at least.

There are a wealth of options when it comes to quicks, with Ngidi a banker to take the spearhead role, supported by some combination of Currie, Khan or van Meekeren. That’s unquestionably an enviable seam roster, but a potentially brittle one. Van Meekeren has only just come back from a stress fracture, while Currie and Khan have both had injury troubles in the past, and the need for rotation alone suggests Naylor will likely get a look-in at some point.

If the Cosmic’s battery of glass cannons can keep firing it will likely prove a potent weapon, while there’s enough flexibility in numerically modest roster to adapt to potentially changing conditions even without any further additions. The lack of cover for openers Roy and Munsey is a potential concern given the tournament’s fairly gruelling schedule, and it may take some time before they hit on the best combination for the rest of the top five. The lower order has plenty of firepower, even if the tail may start a slot earlier than for some of their rivals. There’s plenty of explosive elements in the Cosmic line-up, but given the limited and potentially fragile roster, an eventual implosion cannot yet be ruled out.

Glasgow Cosmic squad: George Munsey (c)[SCO], Jason Roy [OS-ENG], Liam Livingstone [OS-ENG], James Neesham [OS-NZ], Lungi Ndisdi [OS-SA], Keshav Maharag [OS-SA], Moises Henriques [AP-POR], Ali Khan [AP-USA], Brad Currie [SCO], Matthew Cross [SCO], Paul van Meekeren [NED], Michael Leask [SCO], Oliver Davidson [SCO], Liam Naylor [SCO]

Previous ETPL previews: Amsterdam Flames and Rotterdam Dockers