Ireland is scheduled to play a three-match ODI and three-match T20I series against South Africa at home from July 11. With the ODI series being a part of the ICC World Cup Super League, Cricket Ireland announced their national team squad.
While the ODIs will be played at Malahide, the T20Is on the other hand will be split between Malahide and Stormont.
The Chair of national men's selectors, Andrew White felt that even though it is going to be a tough challenge against the Proteas, he is confident that they have plenty of options to pick from the selected squad.
“The World Cup Super League series against South Africa represents our first such fixtures on home soil, and while a tough challenge awaits, we are confident the squad we have selected provides Graham Ford and Andrew Balbirnie with plenty of options,” White said in an official release.
The former Ireland cricketer also addressed Kevin O’Brien’s retirement from ODI cricket and opined that William Porterfield’s experience will be more vital in the current ODI set-up.
“With the recent ODI retirement of Kevin O'Brien, the value of having the experience of William Porterfield in the set-up is as crucial as ever, and his recent form at inter-provincial level has demonstrated that he is still hungry to succeed,” the 40-year-old said.
ODI squad:
Andrew Balbirnie(C), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Graham Kennedy, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Graeme McCarter, Barry McCarthy, William Porterfield, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.
T20I squad:
Andrew Balbirnie(C), Mark Adair, George Dockrell, Shane Getkate, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, William McClintock, Kevin O'Brien, Neil Rock, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.
(With ANI Inputs)
