Cricket Ireland has announced their T20I as well as ODI squad for the upcoming limited overs series against the touring Afghanistan side and it has brought with it some really good news for young fast-bowler David Delany. The 20-year-old speedster has been picked for the three-game T20 Internationals series as well as the three ODIs against the new giants from Asia.
Delany has been on the radar of the national selectors since 2017. He has been picked on the basis of promise shown in the domestic set-up and did very well for Ireland Wolves against the visiting Bangladesh A side recently. In all Delany has played 10 T20s and 6 List A games and was part of the development squad for the 2 T20Is against India in June.
On the other hand, left-arm pacer Joshua Little has also been picked for the T20I squad. Little had actually withdrawn from the game last year to pursue further studies but having made a return since, he featured in Ireland's U-19 Cricket World Cup campaign and impressed everyone with by taking seven wickets.
Also featuring in the two squads is the young batsman James Shannon, who scored a fine half-century against the visiting Indian side in the T20I series in June.
Talking about the overall squads, chief selector Andrew White was quoted saying, "The T20I squad is one with an experienced spine surrounded by young, exciting and talented players who want to show they belong in the international arena, We're very keen to see what younger players like David Delany and Josh Little can bring to the set-up. Josh, for instance, brings us some much-needed variation with his left-arm pace and ability to bat powerfully down the order, and as we know variation is key to success in the T20 format."
"Although we're in discussions about more, at this point we only have nine T20 Internationals in the schedule between now and the World T20 Qualifier tournament in 2019, so it is essential from a squad and individual perspective that we are providing some of our key players as much experience in the format as possible,"
White also emphasised how the Ireland Wolves(A) set-up is helping players on the fringes to stake a claim in the national team.
He said, "A number of players, like Andrew Balbirnie and Andy McBrine, have stood out with outstanding performances during this recent Ireland Wolves series and we hope they can bring their form into the Afghan series. We are also hoping Paul Stirling can bring his red-hot form from county cricket with Middlesex to the international side. On his day he can have a devastating impact upon the opposition. Like the T20I squad, the selectors had a look at a wide pool of candidates and chose the squad best equipped for the challenge ahead. Again, we are looking at what young David Delany can offer as variety,"
While the three T20Is will be played at Bready Cricket Club, Northern Ireland on August 20, 22 and 24, the three ODIs will take place on August 27, 29 and 31 at Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast.
T20I squad:- Gary Wilson (c), Andrew Balbirnie, Peter Chase, David Delany, George Dockrell, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Kevin O'Brien, William Porterfield, Boyd Rankin, James Shannon, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson.
ODI squad:- William Porterfield (c), Andrew Balbirnie, Peter Chase, David Delany, George Dockrell, Andrew McBrine, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O'Brien, Niall O'Brien, Boyd Rankin, James Shannon, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Gary Wilson.
(Inputs from Cricbuzz)
