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When Craig Ervine left Zimbabwe for Lisburn in late April it was around 30 degrees and a world away from the bitterly-cold scene at Wallace Park on Thursday night.

Along with his team-mates wearing attire more associated with the depths of winter than early summer, the Zimbabwean Test match player wasn’t complaining as he took a series of high catches.

The 27-year-old was relieved to learn that the weather should be less inclement for today’s NCU Challenge Cup tie at North Down, although at one stage it looked as Ervine might be heading back to Zimbabwe rather sooner than he had envisaged.

The NCU initially rejected his registration, essentially because Ervine had played Test match cricket for Zimbabwe earlier this year. The decision was soon overturned, Ervine was deemed eligible after all but the next month has been something of a damp squib with Northern Ireland in the middle of its coldest spring in 30 years.

“It’s been tough, the week and was a half was pretty cold, but you do get some good days, which tend to keep you going in this place,” said Ervine.

“I was told by Dean Simpson about the registration thing but he reassured me that it wasn’t going to be a problem. It turned out there were no issues with it.”

Ervine’s international future has been the subject of much conjecture. He has been a feature of Zimbabwe’s middle order, but his Irish passport does offer him an alternative route, if only after a four-year qualification period.

“I came over to try and play cricket over here during the Irish summer. There’s not a lot going on at home, obviously they have the Bangladesh series but with the contract issues it’s given me an opportunity to come over here and play some cricket. Let’s just see how it goes and work from there. I’m really just taking it day by day.”

Ervine had a baptism of fire in his first NCU game for four years. Lisburn lost to Ballymena at Eaton Park with the left-hander out for a duck in a total of 71.

“The wicket was terrible, and I’m hoping the rest of the wickets won’t be like that,” he said.

“Between 2009 and now I’ve played international cricket so hopefully this season I can put in a better performance than I did then. Having said that I probably haven’t bowled since 2009. The pitches were difficult in 2009, it’s just a matter of adjusting to whatever pitch you are playing on.

Zimbabweans Craig Ervine and Nathan Waller have been included in Northern Knights squad to play North West Warriors in the three-day game at Eglinton next week.

There's also a first place in the Knights line-up for Zac Rushe - one of four Instonians players in the starting eleven.

Johnny Terrett keeps his place following the withdrawl from the entire series by James Hall for personal reasons.

Talking about the selection for the three day game, Chief Selector, Kyle McCallan said: “We’re pleased with the make up of the team although with the three day format some players are not available due to work commitments.

"I’m delighted to have Craig Ervine and Nathan Waller on board. They have both expressed a keen interest in playing for Ireland in the future and although not currently eligible, I’m looking forward to seeing them play for us.”

The Northern Knights will be looking to record their first victory following the close defeat to the Lighting earlier this month and the cancellation of the match against the Warriors.

samedwards wrote:I’m delighted to have Craig Ervine and Nathan Waller on board. They have both expressed a keen interest in playing for Ireland in the future and although not currently eligible, I’m looking forward to seeing them play for us.”

jaybro wrote:Not sure how smart a move this is for Craig Ervine since he is already 27 he'll be 31 before he can play for Ireland ( i think 4 yrs is the qualification period ). Also Ireland are aiming to gain test status by 2020 ( I've seen somewhere ) so Criag will be 34 by then and will have had he's best days behind him ....... If he chooses this over playing for Zimbabwe it shoes how bad things are in Zim right now, he won't even be playing 1st class cricket in Ireland !!!!! And for Nathan Waller you would think uncle Andy could have a word to him before it's too late ....... Im guessing PJ Moor is in the same boat along with Bently ......... Bad trend starting to appear here

Jemisi wrote:I think they are currently all eligible for Zim.