Cricket Ireland has unveiled its 14-member squads for the highly anticipated home series against the West Indies, encompassing both One-Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) encounters.
Under the leadership of veteran Paul Stirling, the selections signal a blend of experience and exciting new prospects, injecting fresh dynamism into the national setup.
The ODI squad features two noteworthy debutants: 22-year-old top-order batter Cade Carmichael and 24-year-old right-arm medium-fast bowler Tom Mayes. Carmichael’s inclusion comes on the back of impressive performances for the Ireland Wolves, where his stroke play and adaptability shone through. Mayes, similarly, has earned his call-up through consistent displays, demonstrating his ability to elevate his game.
Meanwhile, the T20I squad also welcomes a fresh face in the form of pacer Liam McCarthy, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career. National Men’s Team Selector Andrew White emphasized the depth of talent within Ireland, making the selection process a challenging but ultimately rewarding one. He lauded Carmichael’s journey through the pathway system and acknowledged the consistent performances that propelled both Mayes and Liam McCarthy into the international fray.
However, the ODI series will see the absence of experienced right-arm fast bowler Mark Adair, who is still recovering from an injury. Adair’s contributions, including his memorable four-wicket haul against Sri Lanka at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023, will be missed in the 50-over format. Nevertheless, he is expected to recover in time to feature in the subsequent T20I series, providing a significant boost to Ireland’s bowling attack in the shorter format.
The West Indies have already announced their touring party for their European leg, which includes this series against Ireland alongside fixtures against England, setting the stage for a compelling contest. The ODI series will be hosted entirely at Clontarf, commencing on May 21st and concluding on May 25th. The action will then shift to Bready for the T20I series, scheduled from June 12th to June 15th. Cricket fans in Ireland will be eager to witness the new talents in action and see how this refreshed squad performs against a formidable West Indies side on home turf.