Photo Credit: Cricket Ireland
Cricket Ireland has today announced the Ireland Men’s ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming fixtures against Zimbabwe, in addition the Ireland Wolves squad has been named for the one-off match between the two white-ball series.
The T20Is will be the final home internationals in this format before the squad heads to the UAE for the ICC T20 World Cup in October, while the ODIs are part of the ICC World Cup Super League – part of the qualification pathway to the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup.
The selection for each series is as follows:
• A 16-player squad has been named for the T20I series, of which a 15-player match day squad will be named each day;
• A 15-player squad has been named for the ODI series; and
• An 11-player initial squad has been named for the Wolves match, with two players to be added following the first two T20Is of the Zimbabwe Men’s series.
THE SQUADS
Ireland’s T20I squad:
Andrew Balbirnie (Captain), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Shane Getkate, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, William McClintock, Kevin O’Brien, Neil Rock, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.
Ireland’s ODI squad:
Andrew Balbirnie (Captain), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Graham Kennedy, Josh Little, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, William Porterfield, Neil Rock, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.
Ireland Wolves squad:
William Porterfield (Captain), Murray Commins, Stephen Doheny, Matt Ford, Mike Frost, Graham Hume, Graham Kennedy, Jeremy Lawlor, Josh Manley, Neil Rock, Lorcan Tucker (plus two players to be added).
Andrew White, Chair of National Men’s Selectors, said regarding the T20I squad:
“For the T20I series we have selected a squad of 16 for the five-match T20I series, of which it will be narrowed down to 15 each match day. Given the T20 World Cup starting in two months we want to provide as much playing time for the players in this format as possible.”
“While we have kept faith with the squad that played in the recent South Africa series, we have additionally brought Curtis Campher in for his first call-up for Ireland in the T20 format. Curtis is back bowling following his injury, and will add a dynamic batting and bowling presence to the squad. His inclusion will provide Graham Ford and Andrew Balbirnie with increased flexibility as they look to finalise their plans ahead of the World Cup.”
Regarding the ODI squad, White said:
“As we are all aware, there are no longer any meaningless ODIs when it comes to the World Cup Super League, and we have selected a squad that recognises the good performances put in during the recent South Africa series. Again, we welcome the news that Curtis [Campher] is back bowling, having come through last week’s training camp in Somerset with no concerns.”
“William Porterfield likewise has overcome his finger injury sustained during the South Africa series, and the uncapped Graham Kennedy continued to impress coaches in Somerset last week, and retains his place in the squad with his all-round ability.”
Regarding the Ireland Wolves squad, White said:
“The Selectors have been encouraged with the quality and depth of playing talent that is continuing to develop and perform this year.”
“Murray Commins and Matt Ford make their first appearances in Irish colours at any level. Commins – who is still working through his qualification period – has continued to impress selectors, coaches and fans alike with some great batting performances, while Ford has shown a consistent ability to adapt and read a given game situation, scoring quickly on a consistent basis.”
“in a similar vein, Graham Hume qualifies in April next year and we are seeking to bolster our bowling stocks ahead of a busy two-years ahead, and gets another opportunity at this level after his performances for the Wolves in Bangladesh earlier this year.”
“Another player that has continued to display great potential is left-arm spinner Mike Frost. He first appeared for the Wolves in South Africa in early 2020, and will hopefully become a future senior men’s prospect in coming years.”
“William Porterfield will lead the team in this one-off match, and will utilise the match as an opportunity for getting more game time under his belt ahead of the ODIs.”
THE FIXTURES
The schedule for the Zimbabwe tour of Ireland is:
T20I series:
• 27 August: Ireland Men v Zimbabwe Men – 1st T20I (Clontarf, start 12pm)
• 29 August: Ireland Men v Zimbabwe Men – 2nd T20I (Clontarf, start 12pm)
• 1 September: Ireland Men v Zimbabwe Men – 3rd T20I (Bready, start 3pm)
• 2 September: Ireland Men v Zimbabwe Men – 4th T20I (Bready, start 3pm)
• 4 September: Ireland Men v Zimbabwe Men – 5th T20I (Bready, start 3pm)
Wolves match:
• 6 September: Ireland Wolves v Zimbabwe XI – ODM (Belmont, start 10.30am)
World Cup Super League series:
• 8 September: Ireland Men v Zimbabwe Men – 1st ODI (Stormont, start 10.30am)
• 10 September: Ireland Men v Zimbabwe Men – 2nd ODI (Stormont, start 10.30am)
• 13 September: Ireland Men v Zimbabwe Men – 3rd ODI (Stormont, start 10.30am)
Watching and attending the series
The World Cup Super League matches will be broadcast live, with a list of channels carrying the matches released closer to the series.
The T20I series and Ireland Wolves match will be livestreamed free through Cricket Ireland Live on Youtube.
Spectator capacity limits may be in place to ensure compliance with local jurisdictional COVID regulations. Tickets will go on sale shortly for the men’s internationald, with separate communications relating to ticketing to be sent out in coming days.
