LORCAN TUCKER knows what he has to do to perform at his best and will be fully focused on the basics this week when Ireland take on the challenge of the West Indies in a three-match one-day international series at Clontarf.

“When you keep everything as simple as possible then things appear clearer in the moment,” the 28-year-old wicketkeeper batsman said.

“Your job as a batter is to make good decisions and have a clear mind, and being balanced at the crease and having a still head makes a big difference for me.”

Tucker undertakes a variety of roles for Ireland in the three formats, going in at three in T20s where his clean hitting is best utilised, and providing a reliable middle order presence in Test matches.

“I’ve had different positions across the formats but in ODIs I’m comfortable with going in at five, and taking on the responsibility in those middle overs’” he said, confirming that’s where he will be batting this/next week.

After an unsure start with the Boys in Green, and the disruption of the Covid years, the Pembroke man has become one of the pillars of the team and will earn his 140th cap on Wednesday.

By his own admission he was inconsistent behind the stumps when he first came into the side but his wicketkeeping has improved noticeably.

“In the first couple of years through Covid, I had to work really hard to get up to the level required of an international keeper, I just wasn’t there at the start of my career,” he said.

“My game’s a lot more marginal now, and it’s a question of staying as sharp as you can, and maybe taking those diving chances and tough stumpings that you wouldn’t have before.”

Tucker won’t have to deal with the variations of Mark Adair in the ODIs as he is still recovering from injury and being saved for the three T20s against the same opponents in Co Tyrone next month.

The all-rounder’s absence opens a berth for Railway Union paceman Liam McCarthy to earn a first cap.

“Liam’s got good pace, great energy and a nice snap at the crease,” Tucker said. “He had a great tour for the Wolves in the UAE in March, so he deserves his chance and hopefully he can ruffle a few feathers.

“The West Indies look a strong side. We’re familiar with their mainstays like Shai Hope, Royston Chase and Alzarri Joseph, and they’ve got a few younger guys coming in.

“You know they’re going to be exciting to watch, and we’re expecting an explosive series.”

Unfortunately for Irish fans, the three games at the homely Clontarf ground constitute a third of the internationals scheduled on the island this season — England visit in September —which is nowhere near enough for a full fledged Test-match playing side.