James Shannon - Ireland - Batsman

James Shannon is a capable middle-order batsman and has represented Ireland from a very young age. He has been a part of the Under-13s, Under-15s, Under-17s and Under-19s squads. He is best remembered for his unbeaten half-century against Hong Kong in the Under-19 World Cup Qualifying tournament. He had a fantastic European Under-17 Championship in 2007 hitting 114 and 86 against Netherland and Scotland.

Shannon made his ODI debut in May 2013 against Pakistan. He struggled in his debut game before being bowled by Hafeez. He made his T20I debut in the World Twenty20 Qualifier(final) against Afghanistan, also in 2013.

Shannon was a product of Ireland's age-level cricket and prospered step by step through every level. However, that was his biggest enemy as well. Once he failed at the highest level and found it difficult to make the cut again, things were not the same for the young man. For someone who walks the talk, he is someone who does not shy away from the occasional banter on the field.

But James decided to fight his devils, more in the mind, to come back stronger. Thanks to a good domestic season in 2017 for Northern Knights, he was selected to represent the Ireland Wolves (Ireland A) for the tour to Bangladesh which included 6 list a games and one first-class game. However, after a terrific 90 in the first-class game, his form tapered off and he was even dropped for the last list-a game. Bangladesh A won every game barring two wash-outs.

Shannon plans to be a sports journalist if he is not able to be a professional cricketer.