Ireland name squad for first three ODIs against Afghanistan, Moondra & McDonough earn maiden call-up

Cricket Ireland has announced the Ireland squad for the first three matches of the upcoming five-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Afghanistan, which will be played at Bready and Stormont. The series will mark the first assignment for newly appointed Head Coach Gary Wilson, as Ireland shift their focus to the 50-over format.

Ireland will continue to deal with injury concerns, with several players unavailable for the opening matches, while others will be assessed after the first three games of the series.

Jai Moondra has earned his maiden ODI call-up following his impressive performances in the recent T20I series against India. Meanwhile, 24-year-old fast bowler Byron McDonough has received his first senior national team call-up after starring in the recently concluded Inter-Provincial 50-over Cup, where he played a key role in helping Leinster Lightning lift the title. Ben Calitz has also been rewarded with his first ODI squad selection.

“I am very much looking forward to the series against Afghanistan. These are our first ODIs in 15 months and in the intervening period, many players have put their hand up for selection which is a great place to be. We are leaving players out who rightly believe they are good enough to be selected, however, we have full faith in the squad that we have picked,” said Wilson in a statement released by Cricket Ireland.

“There is a great rivalry that has built up over the years between the two teams, and I expect that to continue during this series. We have selected a squad that is reflective of the way in which we want to play. We want to play the conditions and situations in front of us but ultimately be dynamic and look for opportunities to put pressure on the opposition. With the ball, we want to be consistently looking for wickets and in the field we want to hunt down chances and be known for a never say die attitude that is synonymous with great Irish sides, of which we believe this is one,” he added.

Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Cade Carmichael, George Dockrell, Gavin Hoey, Andrew McBrine, Liam McCarthy, Byron McDonough, Jai Moondra, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker