Tim Tector, Ben Calitz and Matthew Humphreys are the fresh faces included in the 15-member Ireland squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The three players will be taking part in the global event for the first time in their careers. The remaining 12 players, who featured in the previous 20-over World Cup, retain their places.
For the second consecutive time, Paul Stirling is set to lead the Irish team. Wicketkeeper-batter Lorcan Tucker has been named Stirling’s deputy.
Harry Tector’s brother, Tim, is an all-rounder. Calitz is a left-handed middle-order batter, while Matthew Humphreys is a left-arm spinner.
A fit-again Ross Adair has also been included. The top-order batter missed the tour of Bangladesh due to a knee injury. There is no place for former captain Andrew Balbirnie, who last played a T20I in June 2024.
“The last 18 months have been used to test a number of different options in tactics, roles and combinations, and we are happy with where the squad is at going into the tournament,” said Ireland men’s national team selector Andrew White. “That 12 of the 15 players from the 2024 campaign are also in this squad demonstrates that we have a fairly settled group. However, we have also been able to begin integrating some exciting new talent, such as Tim Tector, Ben Calitz and Matthew Humphreys, who add further dynamism to the playing group.”
Ireland are placed in Group B alongside former champions Sri Lanka and Australia, with Oman and Zimbabwe also in the group. Sri Lanka will host Ireland for their opening match on February 8 in Colombo. It is worth noting that all of Ireland’s league matches will be played in Sri Lanka.
Squad: Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker (vc), Ben White, Craig Young.
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