Carrickfergus all-rounder Jake Egan is joining Randwick Petersham as part of their overseas scholarship tie-up with Cricket Ireland.

An Australian being sent on an overseas scholarship opportunity to his home country seems on the face of it bizarre, but can be explained by the fact that very few, if any Irish youngsters were available.

Ireland's Under 19's are in World Cup duty in Sri Lanka in January, while an Emerging U23 side is going to the West Indies in November.

20 year-old Egan scored just over 500 runs at just over 35 for Carrickfergus in the NCU, including one century, while he claimed 15 wickets.