...and World Cricket League Division 1 in The Netherlands from July 1-10.
Captain William Porterfield, along with Niall O’Brien and Boyd Rankin miss these matches because of county commitments. Gary Kidd and Peter Connell are both omitted from the squad selected to play Australia in the RSA Challenge one-day international at Clontarf this Thursday (June 17).
Off spinning all-rounder Albert van der Merwe from The Hills is included for the first time in the senior squad, as is Bready and Sussex fast bowler Craig Young. Andrew Poynter is also drafted into both squads following his impressive start to the season for both his club and Ireland A.
Ireland coach Phil Simmons gave his thoughts on both squads: “ The county players have one and four day games over the period, so we have to plan without them. It’s always a balancing act with the counties, and we’ve got bigger games ahead. The Bangladesh games are vital in terms of ranking points, and in testing ourselves against teams who are above us at the minute. It’ll also give us a chance to try out new players.
“We’re looking at alternatives in the bowling. The quick bowling is our weakest area, so it’s a chance for us to try out Craig Young to see what he can do, and also for Phil Eaglestone who has been on the periphery now for a few seasons. In the spin department, Albert van der Merwe has started the season well with his club, so he’ll get his opportunity. It’ll be a chance too for me to see Rory McCann with Niall (O’Brien) unavailable.
“While I agree it doesn’t look the strongest squad at first glance, don’t forget there are still 8 or 9 of the team who started the games in the ICC World Twenty20. In a way, it might be a good thing that these guys aren’t available, as it gives those drafted in a great chance to force their way into the reckoning for the World Cup next year – at the end of the day, February 19th 2011 and the World Cup is really our primary focus at the minute. We’ve got to see what depth we have for that.”
The squads in full are as follows:
World Cricket League Division 1 – Netherlands July 1-10:
Trent Johnston (captain) (Railway Union), Andre Botha (North County), Alex Cusack (Clontarf), George Dockrell (Leinster), Phil Eaglestone (Strabane), Nigel Jones (CSNI), Rory McCann (Instonians), John Mooney (North County), Kevin O’Brien (Railway Union), Andrew Poynter (Clontarf), Paul Stirling (Middlesex), Albert van der Merwe (The Hills), Andrew White (Instonians), Gary Wilson (Surrey), Craig Young (Bready).
RSA Series v West Indies A games on June 23 and 25 at Stormont:
Trent Johnston (captain) (Railway Union), Andre Botha (North County), Alex Cusack (Clontarf), George Dockrell (Leinster), Phil Eaglestone (Strabane), Nigel Jones (CSNI), John Mooney (North County), Kevin O’Brien (Railway Union), Andrew Poynter (Clontarf), Paul Stirling (Middlesex), Albert van der Merwe (The Hills), Andrew White (Instonians), Gary Wilson (Surrey).
