Cricket Ireland has unveiled the squads for their back-to-back tours of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, set to take place in March and April 2023. The tours will feature multiple formats, including ODIs, T20Is, and Test Matches, marking the first time both Ireland and their respective opponents will participate in multi-format series at the senior level.
The tour of Bangladesh will begin on March 15 with a warm-up fixture, followed by three ODIs, three T20Is, and a historic Test Match between the two nations. Meanwhile, the tour of Sri Lanka will feature one Test Match and two ODIs. The squad, led by Head Coach Heinrich Malan, will depart Dublin on March 11.
Unfortunately, big-hitting opener Paul Stirling will not be joining the team for their Test matches against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. However, former Zimbabwean international player PJ Moor has been included in the squads for the Test matches.
In an official release, Coach Malan said, "The core piece for us around red ball cricket is that it is a bit of a blank canvas. We're not going to try and play like anyone else, we'll play our own way and that is the key message within our environment at the moment." He added, "We want our guys to go out there and figure out how we best play red ball cricket."
Left-arm pacer Josh Little will also miss the Test matches due to his commitments with the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Meanwhile, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, George Dockrell, Curtis Campher, and Graham Hume are among the players named in all squads.
When asked about the style of Test cricket Ireland may adopt, Coach Malan stated, "It's about playing what's in front of you - the pitch, the opposition, the scoreboard." He emphasized the importance of adaptability, saying, "We want the players to think on their feet, but also to put a plan together and commit to it."
Cricket Ireland is eager to return to playing Test cricket, and this tour represents a new frontier for the team. With a talented group of young cricketers emerging, the future looks bright for the Irish squad.
Ireland squad for Bangladesh ODIs: Andrew Balbirnie (Capt), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White.
Ireland squad for Bangladesh T20Is: Andrew Balbirnie (Capt), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Barry McCarthy, Conor Olphert, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.
Ireland squad for Bangladesh Test: Andrew Balbirnie (Capt), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Murray Commins, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, PJ Moor, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White.
Ireland squad for Sri Lanka Test: Andrew Balbirnie (Capt), Curtis Campher, Murray Commins, George Dockrell, Matthew Foster, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, PJ Moor, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White.
Ireland squad for Sri Lanka ODI series: Paul Stirling (Capt), Curtis Campher, Murray Commins, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Matthew Foster, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Andrew McBrine, Conor Olphert, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.