BENJAMIN CALITZ

The Guardians opened their draft process by selecting 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Benjamin Calitz, one of Ireland's brightest young prospects. A product of Ireland's strong age-group pipeline, Calitz was born in Canada and has also represented his country of birth in age-group cricket, having played for the Canadian team at the 2020 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. He is an aggressive left-handed batter, capable of accelerating against both spin and pace. He has steadily earned a reputation for his safe glovework and composed approach at the crease. Still in the early stages of his senior career, the youngster has impressed coaches with his maturity, temperament and willingness to take responsibility under pressure. The ETPL now provides Calitz with the ideal platform to continue his development alongside some of the game's biggest names, making him an exciting long-term investment for the Dublin franchise. He also bowls the occasional right-arm off-spin and is pipped to become a long-term batter-wicket-keeper prospect for the Irish National side.