Egan finished the second day 114 not out, having faced 200 balls and with the help of Morgan Topping, in a second wicket stand of 174 so far, the Northern Strikers were 200 for one at the close, just 92 behind the Southern Raiders first innings total.

The Malahide weather obviously doesn’t agree with four-day Emerald Challenge games. Two years ago, the middle two days were completely washed out by the weather. This  year, day one was cold and blustery.

The North-West Warriors have added a trio of Irish internationals to their ranks with Munster's cancellation seeing Gareth Delany and Liam McCarthy moving, while Lisburn's Ben Calitz joins from the Knights, with Sam Topping moving back to Belfast.

Neil Rock was the notable absence in the Northern Knights 19-man squad announced ahead of the start of the interpro season at the start of June.

Leinster Lighting will once again be favourites to complete an interpro double in the new old-look series featuring three teams.

As revealed last November, Munster have been culled from the senior interprovincial ranks.