Ireland announce 14-player squad for the New Zealand T20Is

Cricket Ireland have officially announced their 14-member squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand starting July 10. The Irish team management has decided to stick to the same squad that had featured in the recently-concluded home series against the Hardik Pandya-led Indian team.

Even though Ireland had showcased an ordinary performance in the first game, they almost stunned India in the series-deciding second T20I in Dublin chasing a mammoth 226 where they agonizingly fell short by four runs. A spirited Irish team would now be looking forward to carrying this momentum forward in the New Zealand series.

Naturally, the Selectors are backing the players that performed well against India: Cricket Ireland

“Naturally, the Selectors are backing the players that performed well against India – the high standards we sought were delivered upon, and we hope the squad can put in similar performances against New Zealand,” said Andrew White, Ireland’s Chair of National Men’s Selectors in a statement released by Cricket Ireland.

“The second T20I against India was a superb spectacle for the fans, but I know the coaching staff and players were gutted not to get across the line,” White said.

“The players should take great confidence from the past week, and we hope that this can lead to greater consistency in performances. It would be fantastic to see the sporting public – young and not-so-young – come out in their numbers and support the team at Stormont,” he added.

Ireland will be led by Andrew Balbirnie and two of the emerging talents Conor Olphert and Stephen Doheny have also been included in the squad. While Olphert did succeed in getting an international debut cap for the India series, Doheny would be eagerly awaiting his turn to don the Irish cap during the New Zealand series.

As far as the upcoming white-ball series is concerned, the three T20Is will be played at The Village in Dublin on July 10, 12, and 15 followed by as many One Day Internationals which will be hosted at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on the 18th, 20th, and 22nd July respectively.

Ireland Men’s T20I squad for the New Zealand series
Andrew Balbirnie (Captain), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Conor Olphert, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.