There are thirteen teams taking part in the WCSL with each team getting to face eight countries in ODI tests.

The top seven ranked sides will automatically qualify for the World Cup in India 2023, while the remaining five teams will compete for two more places.

Speaking today, Balbirnie spoke on the late blow for the team after a Curtis injury. Shane Getkate will replace him in the squad for the test tomorrow morning.

“He’s an improving cricketer and he’s someone we like the look of. You know he’s had a few opportunities throughout the years but he’s a guy that’s always looking to improve. It was a no-brainer once Curtis got injured.”

The team has no other injuries other than Curtis so there will be nearly a full-strength Irish side to face Zimbabwe.

The Irish captain continued to talk about how his team has tried to prepare for these tests. There is not a lot of action for many of the players but they have had the chance to blow out in training during the week.

“A lot of us haven’t played a lot of cricket, there is not a lot of cricket to play unless you’re going to play club cricket to see what you get out of that, which is game time.”

“They’ve got a lot of experience in their lineup, guys who have played a lot of cricket … names like Taylor, Irvine, Williams, Raza, they’ve been there done that. We’re well aware of what they can bring to the table so we know we have to be on point.”

Warm-ups underway here at @BreadyCC…five minutes to the toss.#IREvZIM #BackingGreen pic.twitter.com/a1jagYRAEW

— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) September 2, 2021

Ireland’s ODI squad

Andrew Balbirnie (Captain), Mark Adair, George Dockrell, Shane Getkate, Graham Kennedy, Josh Little, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, William Porterfield, Neil Rock, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.

Upcoming Fixtures:

World Cup Super League series:

1st ODI – Ireland Men v Zimbabwe Men – Stormont, 10:30, 8th September

2nd ODI – Ireland Men v Zimbabwe Men – Stormont, start 10:30, 10th September

3rd ODI – Ireland Men v Zimbabwe Men – Stormont, start 10:30, 13th September

On. The. Money.

Barry McCarthy strikes early.#GoWolves pic.twitter.com/Pmj4Sytej7

— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) September 6, 2021

The post Balbirnie hopeful going into Ireland’s home ODI tests appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Until Tuesday this week, Ireland Men had never beaten South Africa in One Day International cricket, having played five times before. Ireland had also never beaten a world-ranked top-eight side in an ODI at home since 2006.

Captain Andrew Balbirnie revealed after Tuesday’s match that his move to opener was a decision that was made on the morning of the game after William Porterfield was ruled out with a finger injury.

Despite that last-minute reshuffle of the batting order, Balbirnie was delighted with the team’s performance all-round. He also indicated that the team was determined to continue that form into the final ODI on Friday.

“It was a credit to them and a win we needed as a team and I’m just really proud of the lads. We’ll enjoy this, it’s our first time ever beating them in ODI cricket so it’s a huge day for cricket in Ireland,” Balbirnie said after the game.

“At the same time you have to look at Friday, we could potentially win a series … I think the guys are eager and hungry to win a series.”

Ireland win the 2nd ODI in Malahide

Andy Balbirnie earns the player of the match award after his seventh ODI century, setting up the hosts first-ever victory over South Africa.

: @cricketireland#IREvSA | https://t.co/tfI7lliJ6g pic.twitter.com/FROUipHwU1

— ICC (@ICC) July 13, 2021

Ireland has claimed a valuable 15 World Cup Super League points from the first two games of the series. The side has now jumped from 11^th to 5^th place in the table as it stands.

If you would like to watch Ireland’s next match against South Africa, BT Sports will be televising the game, starting at 10:30.

Athleticism#IREvSA #ThatsOurGame pic.twitter.com/zRDvlRUz5G

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) July 15, 2021

FIXTURES

The series schedule is:

World Cup Super League ODI series

11^th July: Ireland v South Africa, 1st ODI (Malahide)
13^th July: Ireland v South Africa, 2nd ODI (Malahide)
16^th July: Ireland v South Africa, 3rd ODI (Malahide)

T20I series

19^th July: Ireland v South Africa, 1st T20I (Malahide)
22^nd  July: Ireland v South Africa, 2nd T20I (Stormont)
24^th July: Ireland v South Africa, 3rd T20I (Stormont)

IRELAND MEN’S SQUADS

ODI squad

Andrew Balbirnie (captain), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Graham Kennedy, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Graeme McCarter, Barry McCarthy, William Porterfield, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.

T20I squad

Andrew Balbirnie (captain), Mark Adair, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Shane Getkate, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, William McClintock, Kevin O’Brien, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.

In 2021 Ireland have lost to Luxembourg at football and beaten South Africa at Cricket. pic.twitter.com/Q5Lu6RxxRj

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) July 13, 2021

The post Ireland Cricket: Captain Balbirnie eyes an historic series win appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Ireland’s men cricket team will return for to play in January 2021. Cricket has been on hold since Ireland’s heroic win over World Cup winners England in August of this year. First up for Ireland head coach Graham Ford and his men will be a four game series against UAE starting on the 8th and ending on the 14th of January.

The three matches against Afghanistan that follow carry a higher degree of significance for the Irish as they will be part of the World Cup Super League. This league will make up part of the qualifying phase for the Cricket World Cup in 2023. Ireland currently have 10 points and sit in 5th position in the Super League having beaten England 2-1.

Of the 13 teams in the league, hosts India along with the top seven will automatically qualify. In addition, the bottom five sides will enter another qualifying event against five Associated sides. Two successful team from this event will make it to the 2023 World Cup.

Confidence is high heading into next month’s fixtures, with Ford emphasizing that the important win over England, as well as the victories over the T20 World Champions, the West Indies “have helped build self-belief within the players and have demonstrated the progress we are making as a squad.”

Ireland Squad and Abu Dabhi Series Dates

Ireland Squad:

Andrew Balbirnie (C), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, David Delany, Gareth Delany, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, Kevin O’Brien, Neil Rock, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.

International Dates:

UAE vs Ireland: January 8th, 10th, 12th & 14th.

Afghanistan vs Ireland: January 18th, 21st & 23rd.

The post Ireland announced one-day internationals against UAE and Afghanistan appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.