Ireland turn to experienced ‘Wolves’ for crucial southern Africa preparation
Ireland will embark on an extensive programme of winter cricket in southern Africa over the next two months as preparations intensify for the crucial 2027 World Cup Qualifier.
Paul Stirling will captain a 16-man senior squad for five ODIs against Namibia in Windhoek from October 22 to November 1, before the Ireland Wolves head to Zimbabwe for two four-day matches and five one-day contests against Zimbabwe A.
In truth, however, the Wolves tag is being stretched somewhat.
Nine of the 15 players selected for the red-ball leg are also included in the senior squad, meaning this is more of an extension of Ireland’s first-team preparation rather than a traditional development tour. I guess they will also save a considerable chunk of cash on flights too.
That is perhaps understandable given the importance of the coming months. Namibia and Zimbabwe will be involved in staging the 2027 World Cup, while Ireland face the pressure of having to negotiate the Qualifiers beginning in late February to reach the tournament.
There are some interesting selection calls.
Veteran paceman Craig Young is absent from the senior squad, as is Josh Little. Little does, however, return for the white-ball section of the Wolves tour, giving him perhaps an opportunity to force his way back into the main ODI picture before the Qualifiers start on February 26th.
At the other end of the scale, Byron McDonough, Jai Moondra, Liam McCarthy, Jordan Neill and Ben Calitz are among those given further opportunities as Ireland continue trying to expand their 50-over options.
Matthew Humphreys will captain the Wolves in both formats, with the experienced Mark Adair included for the red-ball matches to provide leadership to the younger seamers.
Director of High Performance Graeme West believes the tours will offer invaluable outdoor cricket during the Irish winter as well as experience of southern African conditions. For Ireland, though, these are far more than development fixtures.
With World Cup qualification looming, the next two months represent an important audition ahead of the business end of one of the most important tournaments in recent Irish history as they look to make the World Cup finals for the first time since 2015.
IRELAND MEN – NAMIBIA
Paul Stirling (captain) – Donemana
Lorcan Tucker (vice-captain) – Pembroke
Mark Adair – Lisburn
Andrew Balbirnie – Pembroke
Ben Calitz – Lisburn
Curtis Campher – Clontarf
Cade Carmichael – Instonians
George Dockrell – Phoenix
Gavin Hoey – Pembroke
Matthew Humphreys – Instonians
Andy McBrine – Donemana
Liam McCarthy – Railway Union
Byron McDonough – Pembroke
Jai Moondra – Leinster
Jordan Neill – CSNI
Harry Tector – Pembroke
IRELAND WOLVES – RED-BALL
Jake Egan – CIYMS
Stephen Doheny – Merrion
Cade Carmichael – Instonians
Chris DeFreitas – Balbriggan
Tim Tector – Pembroke
Ben Calitz – Lisburn
Mark Adair – Lisburn
Jordan Neill – CSNI
Gavin Hoey – Pembroke
Matthew Humphreys (captain) – Instonians
Liam McCarthy – Railway Union
Jai Moondra – Leinster
Byron McDonough – Pembroke
Matthew Hollard – Balbriggan
Reuben Wilson – Clontarf
IRELAND WOLVES – WHITE-BALL
Stephen Doheny – Merrion
Tim Tector – Pembroke
Cade Carmichael – Instonians
Chris DeFreitas – Balbriggan
Ben Calitz – Lisburn
Gareth Delany – Leinster
David Delany – Clontarf
Jordan Neill – CSNI
Gavin Hoey – Pembroke
Matthew Humphreys (captain) – Instonians
Liam McCarthy – Railway Union
Jai Moondra – Leinster
Byron McDonough – Pembroke
Matthew Hollard – Balbriggan
Josh Little – Pembroke
FIXTURES
Ireland Men v Namibia, Windhoek
22 October – 1st ODI
24 October – 2nd ODI
27 October – 3rd ODI
30 October – 4th ODI
1 November – 5th ODI
Ireland Wolves v Zimbabwe A
6-9 November – Four-day match
13-16 November – Four-day match
19 November – 1st ODM
21 November – 2nd ODM
23 November – 3rd ODM
26 November – 4th ODM
28 November – 5th ODM