Ireland announce squad for World Cup Super League series against Bangladesh

DUBLIN – Cricket Ireland has today announced squads for Ireland Men’s World Cup Super League series against Bangladesh next month and the Ireland Wolves squad that will play a warm-up match prior.

 The three-match ODI series between Ireland Men and Bangladesh Men are the last fixtures in the ICC World Cup Super League and offers Ireland a potential automatic qualification spot in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 if the Men in Green can win all three matches. Bangladesh has already qualified for the global tournament.

 The series will be played in Chelmsford, with tickets now on sale and selling quickly.

 Prior to the series, the Ireland Wolves (Ireland’s men’s A-team) will play a 50-over warm-up match against Bangladesh Men. The match will be played behind-closed doors. This is not the first time a Wolves side has faced Bangladesh Men – the two sides met back in 2019 in an exciting game that was won convincingly by the Wolves. 

 SQUADS

 Ireland Wolves:

• PJ Moor (capt) (Clontarf), Cade Carmichael (Instonians), Murray Commins (Instonians), Gareth Delany (Leinster), Matthew Foster (CSNI), Fionn Hand (Clontarf), Gavin Hoey (Pembroke), Tyrone Kane (Phoenix), Tom Mayes (North Down), Scott Macbeth (Bready), James McCollum (Waringstown), Neil Rock (Rush), Craig Young (Bready).

 Ireland Men:

• Andrew Balbirnie (capt) (Pembroke), Mark Adair (CIYMS), Curtis Campher (YMCA), Gareth Delany (Leinster), George Dockrell (Phoenix), Stephen Doheny (Merrion), Fionn Hand (Clontarf), Graham Hume (Waringstown), Josh Little (Pembroke), Andy McBrine (Donemana), Paul Stirling (North Down), Harry Tector (YMCA), Lorcan Tucker (Pembroke), Craig Young (Bready).

NB: Conor Olphert, Matthew Humphreys and Ross Adair were not available due to examination / work commitments

 FIXTURE SCHEDULE

 Warm-up:

• 5 May: Ireland Wolves v Bangladesh Men – 50-over match

 World Cup Super League series:

• 9 May: Ireland Men v Bangladesh Men – 1^st ODI (Chelmsford; starts 10.45 am)
• 12 May: Ireland Men v Bangladesh Men – 2^nd ODI (Chelmsford; starts 10.45 am)
• 14 May: Ireland Men v Bangladesh Men – 3^rd ODI (Chelmsford; starts 10.45 am)

 Andrew White, National Men’s Selector, said:

 “We are delighted to once again see an Ireland Wolves side set to play against a Full Member senior team. The Wolves programme is a vital part of the pathway for cricketers moving from domestic to international cricket. It allows fringe and emerging players the opportunity to experience international cricket as part of their development as an elite-level cricketer. The squad selected is a strong one, demonstrating the increasing depth of the Irish talent pool. Young players like top-order batter Cade Carmichael and leg-spinner Gavin Hoey are joined by a cohort of contracted players on the fringes of the senior squad who we have identified as simply needing to play more cricket at this early stage of the season.

 “The senior squad has a more familiar look, with much of the squad having been part of the set-up in Zimbabwe (January) and Bangladesh (March) ODI fixtures. We do, however, welcome Craig Young back into the senior side after his long journey of recovery from injury.

 “We are pleased to also have the services of Josh Little, who has been playing in the IPL over the last month.

 “After a tough tour to Bangladesh last month, the lads will be keen to show their talent and skills in more familiar conditions – and with potential world cup qualification on the line, they will need no additional motivation to succeed.”