Ireland have named four newcomers – Jake Egan, Tom Mayes, Liam McCarthy and Reuben Wilson – in a 14-strong squad for their one-off Test against New Zealand in Belfast next month.
Captain Andy Balbirnie, ever-present in Ireland’s 12 Tests to date, again leads the side. Regulars Paul Stirling, Barry McCarthy, Jordan Neill, Gavin Hoey and Josh Little miss out through injury, though Cricket Ireland have not detailed the exact nature of those setbacks.
Egan, 32, is the oldest debutant. Perth-born but Irish-qualified, the all-rounder struck 120 for the Strikers earlier this week – his first-class debut, no less – to push his case. Mayes, 25, offers another seam-bowling option and chipped in with six wickets and 25 runs in the same Emerald Challenge match.
McCarthy, 24, moved from South Africa in 2021 and already has 19 wickets from six first-class outings, plus four limited-overs caps for Ireland. Wilson, at 19, is the least-experienced pick: one first-class appearance sits alongside a handful of List A and T20 games, yet selectors admire his brisk, skiddy style.
Stirling and Hoey both featured in Ireland’s last Test, against Bangladesh in Mirpur, while Barry McCarthy played the opener of that two-match series in Sylhet. Their absence hands opportunities to the new faces.
The fixture will be just the second Test staged in Belfast; Ireland beat Zimbabwe there in 2024. It is also Ireland’s maiden red-ball meeting with New Zealand, whose attack is expected to provide a stern examination of home batting depth.
Selector Andrew White noted that the group “blends experience with genuine promise”, while Balbirnie welcomed “a chance for fresh players to show they belong at this level.” Preparations begin with a three-day camp in Dublin before the squad travels north.
Ireland squad v New Zealand
Andy Balbirnie (capt), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Cade Carmichael, Stephen Doheny, Jake Egan, Matthew Humphreys, Tom Mayes, Andy McBrine, Liam McCarthy, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Reuben Wilson, Craig Young.
