Paul Stirling will steer a largely unchanged, 15-strong Ireland squad at next month’s Men’s T20 World Cup, with opener Ross Adair recalled after recovering from a knee injury. The only player to drop out from November’s Bangladesh tour is uncapped Jordan Neill, who had filled in for Adair on that trip.
“We’ve backed the lads who did the hard yards in Bangladesh,” Stirling said in the squad release. “It’s good to have Ross fit again; he gives us balance at the top.”
Middle-order batter Ben Calitz and young all-rounder Tim Tector keep their spots. Each owns fewer than half-a-dozen T20I caps yet could make a maiden World-Cup appearance if conditions demand. Selector Andrew White noted, “Those two have earned a longer look — we like what they offer under pressure.”
The spin unit is familiar: leg-spinner Ben White, left-armer Matthew Humphreys and the versatile Gareth Delany. George Dockrell, still listed as a spin option, continues to play primarily as a batter: he has not bowled in 13 T20Is.
Seam duties fall to Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Craig Young, Mark Adair and Curtis Campher. With Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker locking up middle-order and keeping roles, Ireland look settled if not spectacular.
Placed in Group B, Stirling’s side begin against Sri Lanka on 8 February, then face Australia (11 Feb), Oman (14 Feb) and Zimbabwe (17 Feb). Colombo stages the first three fixtures; the last shifts to Pallekele. Two teams progress, leaving Ireland little room for error but plenty of incentive.
Ireland squad: Paul Stirling (capt), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Ben White, Craig Young.
