fbpx
cricket ireland logo
cricket ireland logo

News

Ireland Announce World Cup Qualifier Squad

Back
Back

James Shannon has been recalled to the Ireland squad for the World Cup Qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe.

The 27 year-old Northern Knights and Instonians top-order batsman enjoyed a prolific 2017 campaign at domestic and interprovincial level, and is rewarded with a place in the 15-man squad attempting to gain a fourth successive World Cup qualification.

“The selectors had no hesitation in giving James his opportunity after he scored so heavily last season,” said Ireland head coach Graham Ford speaking at the squad announcement at Malahide Castle. “He has undoubted talent and this will be his chance to reproduce his form at international level.”

Stuart Poynter and Jacob Mulder are omitted from the squad that won the Tri-Series in Dubai last week.

“Stuart Poynter declared he was unavailable for the tournament, as his partner Esther is expecting their first child which is due in March. Stuart wishes to be with his family and support them during what is undoubtedly a very special time in their lives. All here in the Cricket Ireland family wish them all the best with their impending new arrival.

“It’s unfortunate that Jacob misses out, but we have plenty of spin options in the squad, with Andy McBrine coming back and doing so well in Dubai, along with George Dockrell, Simi Singh and Paul Stirling.”

It’s a very experienced Ireland squad with 1925 caps between the 15, with no fewer than eight of them winning more than 100 caps.

“Experience is such a vital commodity, especially in high pressure situations which this tournament will certainly have,” said Ford. “What was refreshing in the Dubai tournament was the superb work ethic that I witnessed from everyone, and the willingness of all the players to learn and adapt to different ideas. While it’s certainly an experienced line-up, there is a nice balance of younger players in there too.

“It’s going to be a very cut-throat competition with just two places on offer, but we have the ability to make it to a fourth final if we play to our potential. It certainly won’t be through lack of hard work or preparation if we don’t make it. We will have a training camp in South Africa, playing four matches before heading to Zimbabwe.”

While the focus was on the World Cup Qualification tournament, Ireland also unveiled their O’Neills Test kit which will be worn at Malahide in their historic first Test against Pakistan on May 11th.

Malahide, with invaluable support from Fingal County Council, will also be the venue for two high profile T20 internationals against India in June, and Ford is delighted at how the international season is shaping up.

“It’s going to be such a momentous occasion at Malahide in May, and of course everyone wants to be in that first Test which is giving added motivation to the lads. Following on then are the two games against India who are such a big draw. We are also in advanced negotiations over additional fixtures which will be announced soon.”

Tickets for all Ireland games are available via www.ticketmaster.ie Further details on the official Cricket Ireland website www.cricketireland.ie

Cricket Ireland have also announced that 20 players have been awarded central contracts for 2018.

14 players are in the full-time Category A, including Simi Singh and James Shannon for the first time, while the six players based with English counties are in the part-time Category B section.

IRELAND WORLD CUP QUALIFIER SQUAD

William Porterfield (Formby/Warriors), Andrew Balbirnie (Pembroke/Lightning), Peter Chase (Malahide/Lightning), George Dockrell (Leinster/Lightning), Ed Joyce (Merrion/Lightning), Andrew McBrine (Donemana/Warriors), Barry McCarthy (Durham), Tim Murtagh (Middlesex), Kevin O’Brien (Railway Union/Lightning), Niall O’Brien (Nantwich/Warriors), Boyd Rankin (Warwickshire), James Shannon (Instonians/Knights), Simi Singh (YMCA/Lightning), Paul Stirling (Middlesex), Gary Wilson (Derbyshire).

ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2018
Group A: West Indies, Ireland, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, ICC World Cricket League Division 2 winners.
Group B: Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Scotland, Hong Kong, ICC World Cricket League Division 2 runners-up.

WCQ FIXTURES
Sunday March 4, Ireland v Netherlands, OH
Tuesday March 6, Ireland v Papua New Guinea, HSC
Saturday March 8, Ireland v West Indies, HSC
Monday March 12, Ireland v WCL Division Two (winners)

CRICKET IRELAND CONTRACTED PLAYERS

Category A: full-time (14)

John Anderson
Andrew Balbirnie
Peter Chase
George Dockrell
Ed Joyce
Andrew McBrine
Jacob Mulder
Kevin O’Brien
Niall O’Brien
William Porterfield
James Shannon
Simi Singh
Stuart Thompson
Craig Young

Category B: part-time (6)

Barry McCarthy
Tim Murtagh
Stuart Poynter
Boyd Rankin
Paul Stirling
Gary Wilson

1442246.jpg
Graham Ford Announces the Squad
No
Connaught

LATEST NEWS

Details