McCarthy, Moor named in Ireland squad for World Cup Qualifier
Cricket
Ireland are part of Group B in the Qualifiers, alongside Sri Lanka, Scotland, Oman, and UAE.
DUBLIN (Web Desk) - Ireland recalled Barry McCarthy, who last played an ODI in June 2021, and called up uncapped leg-spinner Ben White for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 to be played in Zimbabwe in June. McCarthy had missed Ireland's three-game ODI series against Bangladesh in Chelmsford this month due to a knee injury.
Peter Moor is also in line to make his first ODI appearance for Ireland, having played a Test for them earlier this year. Moor, whose last ODI appearance was in July 2019 for Zimbabwe against Ireland, had expressed his desire to represent Ireland in the World Cup.
The return of McCarthy further strengthens the bowling attack of the Andy Balbirnie-led 15-member squad, which also has Mark Adair, Josh Little, Craig Young, Graham Hume and Curtis Campher.
"With a seam attack of Adair, Little, Young, McCarthy, Hume and Campher, we feel we're heading towards our best attack once more," Andrew White, Ireland's National Men's Selector said. "PJ Moor's experience in Zimbabwean conditions and his versatility batting anywhere from Nos. 1 to 7 gives us great cover."
"We're heading into a big few months and it's looking at what personnel we need from a tactical point of view, who are in form, and a squad composition that suits the conditions we are likely to face. In the latter stages of the tournament, for example, we are likely to be playing on used pitches, so that's where we see the value of a Ben White coming to the fore."
All-rounder Fionn Hand and opening batter Stephen Doheny, both of whom were in the squad for the series against Bangladesh, were left out. Doheny had a sorry run of form with the bat, scoring just 33 runs in the three games in Chelmsford. He played six of his nine ODIs against Bangladesh this year and crossed 30 only once.
"Stephen is a player we admire and want to continue to invest in," White said. "But we think the time is right for him, just now, to take a step back and work on a few technical aspects of his game at the domestic level."
Ireland are part of Group B in the Qualifiers, alongside Sri Lanka, Scotland, Oman, and UAE, and will begin their campaign against Scotland on June 21.
Squad: Andrew Balbirnie (capt), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Josh Little, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, PJ Moor, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.
