Cricket Ireland: Captain Andrew Balbirnie ready for Afghan Test as venue switch confirmed

Preparations have been good – we were very fortunate to spend a week in Sevens Stadium and are very grateful to make use of world class facilities.

Everyone is fit and available which is great going into the first game of a busy year.

Has the switch in venue changed anything for the squad?

It [Tolerance Oval] certainly is an unknown, and it’s unique that we are playing a Test Match on the edge of a big Test venue, but getting the chance to play on new grounds is always both challenging and exciting at the same time.

In terms of the team, I know my XI so hopefully we can go out and express ourselves for the week ahead.

THE SERIES

• 28 February – 3 March: Afghanistan Men v Ireland Men (Test Match; Abu Dhabi; 10am start time)
• 7 March: Afghanistan Men v Ireland Men (ODI; Sharjah; 3.30pm start time)
• 9 March: Afghanistan Men v Ireland Men (ODI; Sharjah; 3.30pm start time)
• 12 March: Afghanistan Men v Ireland Men (ODI; Sharjah; 3.30pm start time)
• 15 March: Afghanistan Men v Ireland Men (T20I; Sharjah; 8pm start time)
• 17 March: Afghanistan Men v Ireland Men (T20I; Sharjah; 8pm start time)
• 18 March: Afghanistan Men v Ireland Men (T20I; Sharjah; 8pm start time)

* All times quotes are local to the venue (+4 hours ahead of Ireland) 

THE SQUADS

Test squad

Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie (capt), Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Matthew Foster, Graham Hume, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, PJ Moor, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Theo van Woerkom, Craig Young

ODI squad

Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Foster, Graham Hume, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Paul Stirling (capt), Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Theo van Woerkom, Craig Young

T20I squad

Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Paul Stirling (capt), Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young

The coaching and support staff are:

• Head Coach: Heinrich Malan
• Batting/Wicketkeeping Coach: Gary Wilson
• Pace Bowling Coach: Ryan Eagleson
• Spin Bowling Coach: Chris Brown
• Physiotherapist: Mark Rausa
• Strength & Conditioning Coach: Brendan Connor
• Performance Analyst: Scott Irvine
• Team Operations Manager: Chris Siddell

BROADCAST

We are awaiting advice from the Afghanistan Cricket Board about how fans can watch the series.

LIVESCORING AND UPDATES

As always, livescoring is available on www.cricketireland.ie and regular updates via Cricket Ireland social media channels.

Photo Credit: Afghanistan Cricket Board/Cricket Ireland"}” data-sheets-userformat=”{"2":4995,"3":{"1":0},"4":{"1":2,"2":16777215},"10":2,"11":0,"12":0,"15":"Arial"}”>Photo Credit: Afghanistan Cricket Board/Cricket Ireland

Name of Author: Cricket Ireland

Cricket Ireland

Cricket Ireland, officially known as The Irish Cricket Union Company Limited by Guarantee, is the governing body for cricket on the island of Ireland. It oversees the national men’s and women’s teams and organizes the Inter-Provincial Series, Super 3s, and All-Ireland club competitions. Ireland achieved Test status for women in 2000 and for men in 2017 when it became a Full Member of the ICC.