Dublin: Ireland names Men’s ODI squad for Afghanistan series
Cricket Ireland has announced the Ireland Men’s squad for the initial three matches of the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series against Afghanistan. The five-match series is scheduled to commence next week, with games to be held at Bready and Stormont. This series marks the first assignment for newly appointed Head Coach Gary Wilson.
The squad sees the return of Paul Stirling as captain, following an injury sustained at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Several players, however, remain unavailable due to injury or ongoing return-to-play protocols. These include Josh Little, Matt Hollard, Craig Young, Barry McCarthy, Jordan Neill, and David Delany.
New faces in the ODI squad include Jai Moondra, who earns his debut opportunity in the 50-over format. Moondra’s inclusion follows his performances in the recent India T20I series, where he impressed during Ireland’s T20I series triumph. He is one of two capped T20I players in the squad, alongside Ben Calitz, who are yet to make their 50-over international debut.
Byron McDonough, a pace bowler, also receives his first call-up to the national side. The 24-year-old impressed during the recently concluded Inter-Provincial 50-over Cup, where he contributed to Leinster Lightning’s title win. McDonough claimed eight wickets in five matches in that competition and has picked up 15 wickets across nine List A appearances.
Squad selections and player insights
Andrew White, Cricket Ireland’s National Selector, expressed enthusiasm for the series, highlighting the opportunity for the squad to compete against world-class opposition. He noted that Moondra and McDonough bring distinct attributes that are expected to make an impact. White also mentioned Gavin Hoey as a wicket-taking threat in the middle overs due to his ability to spin the ball both ways, and Ben Calitz’s dynamic batting approach as providing valuable options in the middle to lower order.
Head Coach Gary Wilson shared his anticipation for the series, noting that these are Ireland’s first ODIs in 15 months. He acknowledged the strong competition for selection, stating that many players have performed well during the intervening period. Wilson emphasized the established rivalry between Ireland and Afghanistan, expecting it to continue in the upcoming matches. He also outlined the team’s desired playing style, focusing on dynamism, seeking opportunities to pressure the opposition, consistently looking for wickets, and demonstrating a determined attitude in the field.
The squad for the first three ODIs is as follows:
- 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
Upcoming series schedule
The series will feature five matches, with the initial three matches determining the need for any squad changes based on player fitness. The squad for the final two ODIs will be announced later, with potential adjustments depending on the recovery of injured players. Former England batter Jonathan Trott will join the Irish camp as a consultant for the first two ODIs.
The schedule for the Ireland Men v Afghanistan Men’s One-Day International Series is:
- 5 August 2026: Ireland Men v Afghanistan Men – ODI (Bready; starts 10.45am)
- 7 August 2026: Ireland Men v Afghanistan Men – ODI (Bready; starts 10.45am)
- 10 August 2026: Ireland Men v Afghanistan Men – ODI (Stormont; starts 10.45am)
- 12 August 2026: Ireland Men v Afghanistan Men – ODI (Stormont; starts 10.45am)
- 15 August 2026: Ireland Men v Afghanistan Men – ODI (Stormont; starts 10.45am)
The first match of the series is set for 5 August 2026.
Source: cricketireland.ie
