Ireland have announced their squads to face Afghanistan across all three formats in India, starting on 21 February.
Paul Stirling is set to captain Ireland in the three-match T20I series that kicks off the multi-format contest, with full-time captain Gary Wilson missing out after being diagnosed with a condition that has affected his vision.
Andrew White, the chairman of selectors for Ireland’s men’s sides, said: “Gary [Wilson] is going to be a big miss for us – but it was decided that he should continue recovery in the short-term with the longer-term priority of being a key member of a busy home schedule, and leading the T20 squad to the T20 World Cup Qualifier campaign in late 2019.
“In his absence, we have asked Paul Stirling to stand-in as T20 skipper. Stirlo is one of Ireland’s most experienced and successful exponents of this format of the game, and has gained a wealth of experience playing around the world – for Ireland, Middlesex and various franchise teams in global T20 leagues. This is the first time he has been handed the captaincy of the national side, so will undoubtedly be a proud moment for not only himself, but his family.”
Following on from the three T20Is, Ireland will face Afghanistan in five ODIs before the two sides play a single Test, following on from their maiden appearances in the format in 2018.
Speaking on the new additions to Ireland’s squads, White added: “With regards to some of the new faces, there is no denying the performances of James McCollum, James Cameron-Dow, Shane Getkate and Harry Tector on the current Ireland Wolves tour have impressed selectors.”
“For McCollum, it hasn’t just been his runs but the manner in which he has scored them in subcontinent conditions that has impressed us most. His assuredness at the top of the order has been an asset for the Wolves team, and builds on his first-class performances last season for the Northern Knights.
“James Cameron-Dow may, for many fans, come as a bit of an unexpected surprise on this Wolves tour – but we have had our eye on him for a while now. His two five-wicket hauls in the red-ball Wolves games certainly stood out, but his progress and development throughout the tour has been promising. He certainly offers us a good spin option for the Indian wickets we will play on against Afghanistan.
Afghanistan and Ireland have announced that their upcoming multi-format series that starts in February will be brought forward to avoid a clash with the 2019 IPL.
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— ICC (@ICC) January 14, 2019
“Shane Getkate has had an outstanding white-ball series for the Wolves in Sri Lanka and Harry Tector has been a consistent performer at under-age levels, and now led two national teams – the Under-19s squad to the World Cup last year and now the Ireland Wolves. His century last week for the Wolves showed the talent and leadership attributes we believe he will bring into the senior set-up.
Prior to the visit to India, Ireland will face up for a Quadrangular T20 tournament in Oman featuring the hosts, Scotland and the Netherlands.
Squads
Oman Quadrangular T20 Tournament: Paul Stirling (Captain), Andrew Balbirnie, Peter Chase, George Dockrell, Shane Getkate, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Kevin O’Brien, Stuart Poynter, Boyd Rankin, Simi Singh, Harry Tector, Stuart Thompson, Lorcan Tucker
Afghanistan series – T20 Squad: Paul Stirling (Captain), Andrew Balbirnie, Peter Chase, George Dockrell, Shane Getkate, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Kevin O’Brien, Stuart Poynter, Boyd Rankin, James Shannon, Simi Singh, Harry Tector, Stuart Thompson, Lorcan Tucker
Afghanistan series – ODI Squad: William Porterfield (Captain), Andrew Balbirnie, James Cameron-Dow, Peter Chase, George Dockrell, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O’Brien, Stuart Poynter, Boyd Rankin, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Lorcan Tucker
Afghanistan series – Test Squad: William Porterfield (Captain), Andrew Balbirnie, James Cameron-Dow, George Dockrell, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O’Brien, Stuart Poynter, Boyd Rankin, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Lorcan Tucker
Fixtures
Quadrangular tournament in Oman
9 February: Ireland v Oman Development XI (T20)
10 February: Ireland v Oman Development XI (T20)
13 February: Ireland v Oman (T20I); Scotland v Netherlands (T20I)
15 February: Ireland v Scotland (T20I); Oman v Netherlands (T20I)
17 February: Ireland v Netherlands (T20I); Scotland v Oman (T20I)Ireland Men’s tour (Afghanistan series)
21 February – 1st T20I
23 February – 2nd T20I
24 February – 3rd T20I
28 February – 1st ODI
2 March – 2nd ODI
5 March – 3rd ODI
8 March – 4th ODI
10 March – 5th ODI
15–19 March – Test Match
