Cricket Ireland on Wednesday (February 12) announced the 14-member squad for the three-match Twenty20 International series against Afghanistan with the only change in their squad which recently drew a T20I series 1-1 against the West Indies last month.
Ireland has recalled Shane Getkate for the tour of India next month after the fast bowler Mark Adair failed to recover in time for Afghanistan T20Is from an ankle injury.
The Durban-born Getkate, who has played 14 T20Is and picked up eight wickets at an economy rate of 9.22 so far, will travel to India with Ireland side for a three-match T20I series – which will get underway from March 6, 2020, with all three fixtures scheduled to take place in Greater Noida – Afghanistan's home away from home.
Andrew White, the Chairman of National Men's Selectors, believes that the upcoming Afghanistan series has offered Ireland players a chance to stake a claim for a spot for the T20 World Cup 2020.
Read Also: Afghanistan board names 15-man squad for Ireland T20I series
White said in a press release, “With the T20 World Cup approaching in October, the Selectors are looking to provide an opportunity for players to test themselves in various conditions, while [Head Coach] Graham Ford searches for the right combinations and tactics that we will take into the World Cup. The squad that performed so well in the recent West Indies series will get another opportunity to show what they can offer, against familiar but formidable opponents in this format of the game.”
He added, “While it is unfortunate Mark Adair will not be traveling, this opens up an opportunity for Shane Getkate, who missed out on the Caribbean tour. We are confident that we have selected a well-balanced side, but we will be looking for greater consistency as the year progresses.”
White signed off by saying, “The last tour gave us an insight into this Irish side's potential - by beating the World Champions in their own backyard, but there is no doubt the players will be keen to show those performances on a more regular basis.”
The three-match T20I series will get underway next month with the first match on 6th March followed by second and third on 8th and 10th March respectively in Greater Noida.
Ireland squad:
Andrew Balbirnie (c), Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Shane Getkate, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Kevin O'Brien, Boyd Rankin, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Gary Wilson, Craig Young.
(With ICC Inputs)
