For the forthcoming one-off Test series against Afghanistan, which is scheduled to start on February 28, Ireland has called up uncapped bowler Matthew Foster. In the longest format of the format, Andrew Balbrnie will head the side. Craig Young, Theo van Woerkom, and Barry McCarthy, who have been around for a while, might get their first cap.
The two teams will play a three-match ODI and T20I series following the one-off Test. Paul Stirling has been selected as the Ireland side’s captain for the white-ball leg of the series, meaning that all of the matches will take place in the United Arab Emirates.
While all of the players are somewhat accustomed to the weather in the United Arab Emirates, Ireland selector Andrew White anticipates a strong performance from the group. He anticipates that the team will be a little more confident following their recent exploits in Zimbabwe, as the series can serve as a useful training ground for them before the June 1 start of the T20 World Cup.
The players should be fairly accustomed to the circumstances because we have played a lot of cricket in this region of the world over the past ten years. Despite the 12-week break, the team should be motivated and confident after their successful tour of Zimbabwe in December, according to a BBC quote from White.
“We will be sending the players to the UAE five days prior to the forthcoming series in order for them to acclimate and exercise in Middle Eastern conditions. Preparations have been progressing well. The group enjoyed a strong training camp in Spain last week. We are getting ready for a big summer, which includes the T20 World Cup, and this series is essential to that preparation. I’m really looking forward to this hard-fought series, which is usually a highly anticipated competition,” he continued.
Ireland teams
The following players make up the test squad: Craig Young, PJ Moor, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Theo van Woerkom, Andrew Balbirnie (c), Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Matthew Foster, Graham Hume, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, and PJ Moor.
The following players are in the ODI squad: Craig Young, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Theo van Woerkom, Andrew Balbirnie, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Andrew McBrine, Neil Rock, Matthew Foster, Graham Hume, and Andy McBrine.
The following players are in the T20I squad of Ireland: Neil Rock, Josh Little, Graham Hume, Josh Adair, Ross Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Paul Stirling (c), Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, and Craig Young.