Josh Manley all set to make Lisburn debut in CSNI cup encounter

Josh Manley is set to make his Lisburn debut today when they travel to CSNI in the Robinson Services Cup, writes Johnny Morton.
Josh Manley is looking forward to todays clashJosh Manley is looking forward to todays clash
Josh Manley is looking forward to todays clash

Manley’s move to Wallace Park from Instonians was one of the more high-profile transfers over the winter months after the South African had picked up the best bowling average (11.09) of any player in the top-flight last season.

With the 2020 campaign being thrown into doubt due to the coronavirus pandemic, Manley didn’t know if he would be able to get over to Northern Ireland from his homeland this summer, but after serving his mandatory period of quarantine, he will be good to go this weekend.

It’ll be a massive boost for Lisburn who have lost both of their opening league games to Woodvale and CIYMS, but they got their first win of the season after beating Carrickfergus last Sunday to seal a spot in the LVS Twenty20 Cup semi-finals.

“I definitely thought there wasn’t going to be a season at one point so I’m chuffed to get some cricket and that it’s happening,” said Manley.

“I’ve got a great flat over here and got some good views. I’m quite happy but just itching to get back out on the park.”

Despite his returns of last season, Manley is expecting it could take him a while to get back into the swing of things after an extended break away from the pitch.

“I think I’m going to be quite rusty to be honest,” he added.

“The problem with back home was that there wasn’t any facilities to train on because everything was locked down so I couldn’t even find nets or anything to train in.

“I think it will take a little while. I don’t think I’m going to be bang on from ball one but I’ll be going in with the mentality that it will be.

“We will see how it goes and I’m just looking forward to getting back playing."

Manley is also set to play a big role for the Northern Knights when their season gets underway in August after Cricket Ireland announced Inter-Provincial Twenty20 and 50-over matches would go ahead.

The long-term plan for Manley is to permanently reside in Northern Ireland and he is aiming to be here full-time before next season gets underway.

“The schedule looks really jam-packed and I’m very excited that there’ll be some Inter-Provincial stuff. I’m very keen for that side of things as well and see where that goes,” he said.

“The plan at the moment is to move here from next year. We will head back at the end of the season, which will be the end of September.

“All of the plans got readjusted due to coronavirus. The original idea was January, and it still might be then, but everything is up in the air.

“By April next year I will 100% be here, it’s just finding out when we will be here permanently.”

Today’s games: Carrickfergus vs CIYMS; CSNI vs Lisburn; North Down vs Instonians; Woodvale vs Waringstown.

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