A new name on the Irish scene is Sonny Cott, just picked for the Under 15 European Championships in Guernsey next month. Cott impressed at the interpros in Belfast last week, making 56 against the NCU and an unbeaten 27 v Munster.

Cott lives in London, where he has been playing on the Surrey underage sides for several seasons. His parents are Irish though, and his father especially well-known to people of a certain age.

Gerry Cott was guitarist in the Boomtown Rats – the one with the aviator shades – and played on all their hits. He and his wife Cathy are now ‘dog whisperers’, training animals for TV and films such as Babe, Black Beauty and the Queen.

Sonny’s mum made contact with Cricket Leinster through their website and Brian O’Rourke followed up. The opening batsman (Looking After No 1 in the order?) and leg spinner (Banana ball Republic?) played for Leinster Under 15s last year and has now broken into the Irish team.

Should he ever make it into the big time, there will be undoubtedly references to his late cut (‘Sonny down to Third Man”), but pity the umpire that gives him out for a tickle to leg-slip: ‘It’s a Leg Trap Sonny – and you’ve been caught…’

Former Merrion player Philip Quinlan has come up with the Battle of the Big Hitters which will be held in Pembroke CC/Monkstown RFC on Friday week. The centrepiece is a 2020 match between Leinster Rugby and Cricket Ireland, with the likes of Leo Cullen, Isa Necewa, Jordan Coghlan, Ricard Strauss, Kevin O’Brien, Trent Johnston and Alan Lewis – even Ross O’Carroll Kelly will make an appearance at the wicket. Johnny Lyons of 98fm is the MC, and there are plenty of activities to keep families entertained. The day will raise funds for Spinal Injuries Ireland and tickets are available from ticketmaster.ie

Tweet of the week: Ex-Ireland captain Alan Lewis (@lewidog123) “congrats to both my godsons, captains of Ireland youth teams. Funny world!!! McCollum u17, Tector u15s!!!”

Performance of the week: It’s shocking to think that it took until 14 July, and more than 20 games, until the first Division 1 century of the season was scored. So hats off to Kevin O’Brien and Pat Collins who made their tons for Railway against YMCA on Saturday.