Ireland name squad for six-match white-ball series against Zimbabwe

DUBLIN – Selectors have today named two Ireland Men’s squads for the upcoming six-match white-ball tour to Zimbabwe in December.

The squad, which will be led by Paul Stirling, will depart on 1 December and will feature three T20 Internationals followed by three one-day internationals.

This will be the first tour led by Stirling since his permanent appointment as white-ball captain (he has previously captained the side 22 times in an interim capacity). Before the squad heads to Zimbabwe, they will spend five days at a training camp in Spain from 19-23 November.

Andrew White, Ireland Men’s national selector, said

“This is the first outing for the Men’s squad since the ODI series in England in September. This tour marks the start of a new cycle under a new leadership set-up, and we’re looking forward to seeing how this playing group evolves as it builds towards the next 50-over World Cup.

“However, before we get to that stage there will be two T20 World Cups to plan and prepare for, and this tour is core to our preparations for the T20 World Cup next June. We showed the world what we were capable of at the last T20 World Cup, but with the talent and potential within this playing group, there is a belief we can push on and achieve even more.

“What is also exciting is to see the senior squad touring at the same time as the Emerging Ireland squad is in the Caribbean – which represents more than 30 of Ireland’s current and future talent playing high-quality international cricket. It is something we will see more of over coming years as we look to expand the talent pathway programme.”

Ireland Men’s T20I squad

• Paul Stirling (Capt), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Josh Little, Graham Hume, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Theo van Woerkom, Craig Young.

Ireland Men’s ODI squad

• Paul Stirling (Capt), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Josh Little, Graham Hume, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Theo van Woerkom, Craig Young.

Coaching staff:

·        Head Coach: Heinrich Malan

·        Batting/Wicketkeeping Coach: Gary Wilson

·        Pace Bowling Coach: Ryan Eagleson

·        Physiotherapist: Mark Rausa

·        Strength & Conditioning Coach: Brendan Connor

·        Performance Analyst: Scott Irvine

·        Team Operations Manager: Chris Siddell

Fixtures

• 7 December: Zimbabwe v Ireland – 1^st T20I (Harare; start 6pm; D/N)
• 9 December: Zimbabwe v Ireland – 2^nd T20I (Harare; start 1pm)
• 10 December: Zimbabwe v Ireland – 3^rd T20I (Harare; start 1pm)
• 13 December: Zimbabwe v Ireland – 1^st ODI (Harare; start 9.15 am)
• 15 December: Zimbabwe v Ireland – 2^nd ODI (Harare; start 9.15 am)
• 17 December: Zimbabwe v Ireland – 3^rd ODI (Harare; start 9.15 am)