DUBLIN – Cricket Ireland has today confirmed two off-season tours over the next two months that will see Ireland Men play five one-day internationals in Namibia and Ireland Wolves play both red-ball and white-ball matches in Zimbabwe.
In addition, as announced last week, Ireland’s Under-19s men’s and women’s squads are also travelling to southern Africa
Graeme West, Cricket Ireland’s Director of High Performance, said:
“The squads selected for the senior men’s and Wolves’ tours feature the best of Irish men’s current and emerging talent, and the chance for such a large cohort of players getting away during the winter months to play outdoors on grass in warmer conditions is a welcome one. With Namibia and Zimbabwe hosting the ICC Cricket World Cup and Qualification events in 2027 alongside South Africa, the tours provide great opportunities for our players to familiarise themselves with the conditions and some of their potential opponents.
“Paul Stirling will continue to lead the senior ODI squad, while Matthew Humphreys will captain the Ireland Wolves in both formats. Nine of the players selected for the Namibia series will feature in the Wolves tour, whilst six will move on to the UAE for the ILT20. Mark Adair has been selected for the red-ball component of the Wolves tour to provide on-field leadership and guidance to our young and developing seam bowling unit.
“Regarding the Wolves tour, Zimbabwe are always keen to engage in the longer format and the two back-to-back first-class matches will test our physical capacity as much as our technical skills.”
THE FIXTURES
Ireland Men’s tour of Namibia
22 October: Ireland Men v Namibia Men – 1st ODI (Windhoek)24 October: Ireland Men v Namibia Men – 2nd ODI (Windhoek)27 October: Ireland Men v Namibia Men – 3rd ODI (Windhoek)30 October: Ireland Men v Namibia Men – 4th ODI (Windhoek)1 November: Ireland Men v Namibia Men – 5th ODI (Windhoek)
Ireland Wolves tour of Zimbabwe
6-9 November: Ireland Wolves v Zimbabwe A – Four-day match13-16 November: Ireland Wolves v Zimbabwe A – Four-day match19 November: Ireland Wolves v Zimbabwe A – 1st ODM21 November: Ireland Wolves v Zimbabwe A – 2nd ODM23 November: Ireland Wolves v Zimbabwe A – 3rd ODM26 November: Ireland Wolves v Zimbabwe A – 4th ODM28 November: Ireland Wolves v Zimbabwe A – 5th ODM
THE SQUADS
Ireland Men’s squad for Namibia tour
Paul Stirling (c)Lorcan Tucker (vc)Mark AdairAndrew BalbirnieBen CalitzCurtis CampherCade CarmichaelGeorge DockrellGavin HoeyMatthew HumphreysAndy McBrineLiam McCarthyByron McDonoughJai MoondraJordan NeillHarry Tector
Ireland Wolves’ squad for Zimbabwe (Red-ball matches)
Jake EganStephen DohenyCade CarmichaelChris DefreitasTim TectorBen CalitzMark AdairJordan NeillGavin HoeyMatthew HumphreysLiam McCarthyJai MoondraByron McDonoughMatthew HollardReuben Wilson
Ireland Wolves’ squad for Zimbabwe (White-ball matches)
Stephen DohenyTim TectorCade CarmichaelChris DefreitasBen CalitzGareth DelanyDavid DelanyJordan NeillGavin HoeyMatthew HumphreysLiam McCarthyJai MoondraByron McDonoughMatthew HollardJosh Little
THE UNDER-19s TOURS
Ireland Under-19s Men’s tour of South Africa (50-over matches)
12 October Ireland U19 Men v North West University (NWU Oval)13 October Ireland U19 Men v North West U19 Invitational (Potchefstroom Gymnasium)15 October Ireland U19 Men v North West University (Senwes Cricket Stadium)16 October Ireland U19 Men v North West University (NWU Oval)
Ireland Under-19s Women’s tour of Namibia (T20 matches)
25 October Ireland U19 Women v Capricorn Eagles (Namibia Cricket Ground)26 October Ireland U19 Women v Capricorn Eagles (Namibia Cricket Ground)28 October Ireland U19 Women v Capricorn Eagles (Namibia Cricket Ground)31 October Ireland U19 Women v Capricorn Eagles (Namibia Cricket Ground)