Ireland take on India on Saturday June 23, and the following day South Africa are their opponents.
The Irish squad has been badly depleted by injuries and unavailability problems. In the bowling department, Boyd Rankin, Andre Botha and Dave Langford-Smith have all failed to recover from their various injuries in time, although it is hoped that all three will be fit for the quadrangular tournament next month. The batting is also missing key players, where Jeremy Bray and Eoin Morgan have both declared themselves unavailable, and Peter Gillespie has decided to retire from international cricket.
Ireland Coach Phil Simmons said of the squad, "There's no doubt we have been badly hit by injuries. Dave (Langford-Smith) has a side injury, and this type of injury can be very slow to heal. Both Andre Botha (elbow injury) and Boyd Rankin (stress fracture of the fibula), are still about 2-3 weeks away from full fitness, but I'm confident all three will be ready for the Quadrangular tournament."
"Jeremy Bray asked not to be considered for selection for these matches, and Peter Gillespie has decided to retire from representative cricket. Eoin Morgan has informed me that he isn't available for the ODI's because of his commitments with Middlesex. He wants to qualify and play for England, and feels that by obtaining a regular place in the Middlesex team is the best way to achieve that."
"The positive aspect to this is that a number of the younger players in the squad will now get a chance to show me what they are capable of. They have the opportunity to firmly establish themselves in the squad. I'm already starting to look ahead to the World Cup Qualifiers in the UAE in 2009, and the composition of the team."
Stephen Kirkpatrick, Head of Banking, Bank of Ireland NI, said "These are really exciting fixtures against two of the major powers in World cricket. It should be a fantastic festival of cricket over the next few weeks. Bank of Ireland, as official sponsor to the Irish team, is delighted to be associated with these very high profile games."
The fixtures which are all at Stormont are as follows:
Ireland v India - June 23
Ireland v South Africa - June 24
India v South Africa - June 26, 29 and July 1.
Ticket details are available on the Irish Cricket Union website www.irishcricket.org and from Heather Johnson, 62 Balmoral Avenue, BELFAST, BT9 6NY. Tel No; 028 -90662310 or 028-90201361 (Prefix 0044 if calling from the ROI or abroad)
The Ireland squad in full is as follows:
Trent Johnston (Railway Union) Captain
Kenny Carroll (Railway Union)
Alex Cusack (Clontarf)
Thinus Fourie (Merrion)
Dominick Joyce (Merrion)
Gary Kidd (Waringstown)
Kyle Mc Callan (Waringstown)
Kevin O' Brien (Railway Union)
Niall O' Brien (Northants)
William Porterfield (Rush)
Roger Whelan (Railway Union)
Andrew White (Instonians)
Gary Wilson (Surrey)
Ireland Under 23 Squad
The Irish Cricket Union has announced their Under 23 squad for the forthcoming European Championships. The tournament takes place in Glasgow from July 3-5, when Ireland will compete with just Scotland and The Netherlands, following the withdrawal of Denmark.
It is a very experienced line up with no fewer than five full internationals, including William Porterfield, who will captain the side. Ireland coach Phil Simmons has named 14 players, and intends to get a look at them all during the games.
"With a number of retirements and injury concerns, this is a great opportunity for the younger members to show me what they are capable of. A good showing here and they will definitely figure in my plans."
The squad in full is as follows:
William Porterfield (Rush) Captain
Allan Coulter (Civil Service North)
Conor D' Arcy (Clontarf)
James Hall (Waringstown)
Gary Kidd (Waringstown)
Fintan Mc Allister (Rush)
Niall Mc Darby (CYM)
Gavin Mc Kenna (North Down)
Kevin O' Brien (Railway Union)
Andrew Poynter (Clontarf)
David Rankin (Bready)
Andrew Riddles (Limavady)
Greg Thompson (Lisburn)
Gary Wilson (Surrey)
