Photo Credit: Rodney Smythe
Irish international Shane Getkate and North West Warriors Conor Olphert have flown out to join the Ireland Men’s squad ahead of the second ODI tomorrow.
All-rounder Getkate, 29, has 18 caps for Ireland after debuting internationally in February 2019. His last international appearance was against Afghanistan in a T20I in March last year. He replaces the injured David Delany in the squad, providing cover for both the squad’s batting and bowling stocks.
Pace bowler Olphert, 24, is an explosive opening bowler for his club side Bready and made his inter-provincial debut for North West Warriors in September against Leinster Lightning, taking two wickets. He is uncapped at international level and has been brought in as a net bowler for the Irish side, given the need due to COVID-19 protocols. Olphert is the son of Mark Olphert, who made an appearance for Ireland in 1998 against a touring Australia ‘A’ side.
Andrew White, Chair of National Men’s Selectors, said:
“While it was a disappointment to lose David Delany early in the tour, it now provides a chance for Shane to come in and try to make his mark. While most of his international appearances so far are in the T20 format, Shane played three ODIs against Zimbabwe in 2019 and claimed six wickets at 20 runs apiece. His versatility with both bat and ball will be of benefit to the squad and he has experience playing in Middle Eastern conditions.”
“Conor is a very promising young pace bowler from the North West. We are sending him out as a net bowler and to give him his first taste of international touring – albeit his experience in the bio-bubble will not be a typical experience. Given the need for squads to provide their own net bowlers, and given the loss of Delany, we considered it a prudent option of increasing our bowling unit out in Abu Dhabi.”
“We wish Shane and Conor well and look forward to the team’s fight back in game two.”
Getkate said:
“I was delighted to get the call and for the chance to join the squad out in Abu Dhabi. I’m really looking forward to getting out there – it certainly makes a nice change from indoor training. Hopefully, the guys can get some wins against UAE in the series and then bring that momentum into the Afghan series.”
Olphert said:
“To be honest, I’m completely shocked. I really appreciate the opportunity to go out to the UAE. It’s not something I’d ever thought I’d get a chance to do, so I’m determined to make the most of the opportunity. I can’t wait to get out there and meet up with the squad.”
Getkate and Olphert have arrived in Abu Dhabi and will now quarantine for three days. They have both tested negative prior to, and on arrival.
FIXTURES
The international fixtures, which will be played at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, are:
• UAE v Ireland – 1st ODI – 8 Jan 2021 (start: 9.30am local time / 5.30am Irish time)
• UAE v Ireland – 2nd ODI – 10 Jan 2021 (start: 9.30am local time / 5.30am Irish time)
• UAE v Ireland – 3rd ODI – 12 Jan 2021 (start: 9.30am local time / 5.30am Irish time)
• UAE v Ireland – 4th ODI – 14 Jan 2021 (start: 9.30am local time / 5.30am Irish time)
• Afghanistan v Ireland – 1st ODI – 21 Jan 2021 (start: 9.30am local time / 5.30am Irish time)
• Afghanistan v Ireland – 2nd ODI – 24 Jan 2021 (start: 9.30am local time / 5.30am Irish time)
• Afghanistan v Ireland – 3rd ODI – 26 Jan 2021 (start: 9.30am local time / 5.30am Irish time)
The matches against Afghanistan will be part of the World Cup Super League (see below for details).
LIVESTREAM / BROADCAST
Matches will be livestreamed via Youtube in Ireland / UK, with further details made available closer to the match days. For the rest of the world, the series with either be shown on satellite television or livestreamed, so please check local guides.
SQUAD
The Ireland Men’s squad is:
Andrew Balbirnie (C), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, Kevin O’Brien, Neil Rock, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.
WORLD CUP SUPER LEAGUE
Matches played as part of the inaugural ICC Cricket World Cup Super League (2020-2023) are essentially World Cup Qualifier matches, as the League will serve as part of the 2023 Cricket World Cup Qualification process.
• See the current WCSL table as it stands
The WCSL features thirteen teams, the twelve Full members of the International Cricket Council (ICC), and the Netherlands (who won the 2015–17 ICC World Cricket League Championship to qualify for this competition). Each team will play an ODI series against eight of the twelve opponents, four series at home and four away. Each series will consist of three ODIs. For the World Cup, the hosts (India in 2023), and the top seven-ranked sides thereafter, will qualify automatically. The remaining five teams will play in a qualifying event along with five Associate sides, from which two sides will go through to the final tournament.
