IRE vs IND| Ireland announces squad for India T20Is

On June 15 (Wednesday), Cricket Ireland announced the 14-man squad for the 2-match T20I series against India scheduled later in this month. The top-order batter Andy Balbirnie will be leading the side as usual.

The likes of Stephen Doheny and pace bowler Conor Olphert have earned their maiden national call-up. Both the players feature for the North West Warriors in domestic cricket. 

Doheny is the current top run-scorer of the 2022 edition of the Ireland Inter-Provincial T20 Trophy with 158 runs in four innings at an average of 52.66 and a strike rate of 126.40. In the 50-overs tournament, Doheny has done well to garner 146 runs in four innings as well. He was the second-highest run-scorer in the recent series against Namibia Wolves with 226 runs in eight innings.

Olphert, who made his domestic debut in 2020, has impressed the national selectors with his pace and bounce. He has scalped six wickets in four matches with an economy of 7.66. 

The 25-year-old has the same number of wickets at an economy of 5.21 in the 50-overs tournament. Olphert served as a net bowler for the Ireland team in their tour to the UAE in 2021 as well. 

The Ireland team remained runners-up in their latest two T20I tournaments, Oman Quadrangular T20I Series 2021/22 and ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier A 2021/22. 

On the other hand, the Indian team are currently facing South Africa at home and are trailing by 1-2 in the 5-match T20I series. 

In their last bilateral T20I series against Ireland, India won both the matches comprehensively in 2018.

Andrew White, Chair of National Men’s Selectors, said:

“There aren’t many better challenges for a new national coach to have than to start your tenure against the world’s number one-ranked T20I side, India. 

The T20I squad features a familiar core to the squad, but it’s pleasing to see a number of new faces earn their call-ups in Stephen Doheny and Conor Olphert. Both Warriors’ players have impressed at inter-provincial level this season with consistent performances, while Doheny has also come off the back of a good tour of Namibia with the Ireland Wolves."

“Olphert has bowled quickly, particularly on good wickets at Comber last month, and his selection gives as an opportunity to look at him as a tactical option given what lies ahead for the rest of the year," he added.

Ireland Squad: Andrew Balbirnie (Captain), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Conor Olphert, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.

Series Schedule: 

Sunday, June 26: Ireland vs India, 1st T20I (Malahide)

Tuesday, June 28: Ireland vs India, 2nd T20I (Malahide)