Ireland have included Simi Singh and Shane Getkate in their squad for their series against Zimbabwe, where they are slated to play three ODIs and three T20Is. The selectors named the squad on Wednesday (June 26).
Ireland have made two changes to the side that played in the two-match ODI series against Afghanistan. Seasoned spinner George Dockrell and Barry McCarthy have been left out.
Having leveled the ODI series against Afghanistan 1-1, they had lost all their three T20Is against Afghanistan in February. But they did go out for an explosive opening combination with Kevin O’Brien opening alongside Paul Stirling. His promotion worked wonders for him on a personal note but hardly altered the results for them.
The chairman mentioned, “With the T20 World Cup Qualifier in October this year, it has been important for the selectors to see our senior international and Wolves squads in as many games as possible. The last six months have been busy with 18 ODIs and T20Is played so far.
“The last six months have also allowed selectors and our coaching staff to experiment a little – both with players selected and their roles within the team. Kevin O’Brien’s elevation to opening the batting in T20s has been a really positive move, Mark Adair’s late-order power hitting, and Andy McBrine’s role opening the bowling in the ODIs, all ways that Graham Ford and his coaching staff are seeking to push this team forward.”
The ICC World T20 qualifiers will be played in October-November 2019 in the UAE where 14 teams will participate for a place in the World T20 to be held in Australia in 2020.
Greg Thompson, who last represented the Irish T20 team in 2017, has got a call up and has been included in the T20 side. The 31-year old batsman has been on the fringes for a long time having made his ODI debut back in 2008.
“The selectors are also mindful of the balance of the squad and have taken note of current form, and the decision to recall Greg Thompson into the national T20 set-up is recognition of his impressive form. His batting is not just about power hitting, but batting with intelligence. With the T20 World Cup Qualifier on the horizon, we want to ensure no stone is left unturned in finding a side that will give us the best possible chance of being successful, so we wish Greg well with this opportunity.”
One-Day International squad: William Porterfield (Captain), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Shane Getkate, Tyrone Kane, Andrew McBrine, James McCollum, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O’Brien, Boyd Rankin, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Lorcan Tucker, Gary Wilson.
T20I squad: Gary Wilson (Captain), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Shane Getkate, Tyrone Kane, Josh Little, Kevin O’Brien, Boyd Rankin, Paul Stirling, Greg Thompson, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.
Ireland Wolves are also slated to take on Zimbabwe in a List A game. The senior players like Stuart Thompson and Barry McCarthy also find a place in the Ireland Wolves side.
Pete Johnston, Academy & Performance Manager, said about the Ireland Wolves, “After the impressive win over Bangladesh earlier this summer, the Wolves will be looking forward to taking on another very experienced Full Member senior side in a competitive List A game. The recent series against a strong Scotland ‘A’ produced a range of good performances from within a young squad which have caught the eye of the senior selectors, while it is also encouraging that 16-year old Nathan McGuire justifiably maintains his place in the Wolves for his first taste of senior international opposition.
“We welcome back Barry McCarthy, Stuart Thompson and Stephen Doheny to international action after returning from injury and illness. As long as conditions allow, it is great news that left-arm spinner James Cameron-Dow may well come into the Wolves playing 11 for the first time since his very successful tour of Sri Lanka in the winter, and we have all been very encouraged by his recent form off the back of hard work. Further good news is that Neil Rock returns after completing his Leaving Certificate exams.”
Ireland Wolves squad: Harry Tector (Captain), James Cameron-Dow, Peter Chase, Stephen Doheny, Fionn Hand, Graham Kennedy, Barry McCarthy, Nathan McGuire, Neil Rock, Simi Singh, Jack Tector, Stuart Thompson.
The Ireland women’s team will be in action against Zimbabwe, with the T20Is being double-headers.
THE FIXTURES
Wolves 50-over match
Ireland Wolves v Zimbabwe Men – 29 June 2019 (Eglinton)
ODI series
Ireland Men v Zimbabwe Men – 1 July 2019 (Bready)
Ireland Men v Zimbabwe Men – 4 July 2019 (Stormont)
Ireland Men v Zimbabwe Men – 7 July 2019 (Stormont)
T20I series
Ireland Men v Zimbabwe Men – 10 July 2019 (Stormont)
Ireland Men v Zimbabwe Men – 12 July 2019 (Bready)
Ireland Men v Zimbabwe Men – 14 July 2019 (Bready)
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