Cricket Ireland selectors have announced the 14-member squad, that will participate in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers, to be hosted by Zimbabwe from Mar 04th – 25th, 2018.
Ireland recently took part in the ODI Tri-series in Dubai, where they won all their 4 matches (2 each against Scotland & UAE). Ireland will travel to South Africa prior to travelling to Zimbabwe as they continue their preparations by playing 4 matches over there with one match against Netherlands confirmed. We assume that the other matches could be against Hong Kong & Scotland, who will also be in South Africa for preparatory tours.
Ireland World Cup Qualifiers Squad:
William Porterfield (Captain), Andrew Balbirnie, Peter Chase, George Dockrell, Ed Joyce, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, Boyd Rankin, James Shannon, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling & Gary Wilson
Ireland head coach Graham Ford told CricketIreland.ie “It’s going to be a very cut-throat competition with just two places on offer, but we have the ability to make it to a fourth final if we play to our potential. It certainly won’t be through lack of hard work or preparation if we don’t make it. We will have a training camp in South Africa, playing four matches before heading to Zimbabwe.”
