Adair returns for T20 series but injured trio ruled out

BBC News

2 days ago

Mark Adair has returned to the Ireland squad for the three-match T20 series against the West Indies at Bready, but Craig Young, Curtis Campher and Gareth Delany have been ruled out. Pace bowler Adair returns from injury after missing the recent one-day international series against the same opposition, which ended in a draw. Bowler Young and all-rounder Campher were also absent for those games and have not recovered sufficiently to take their place in the squad for the ODIs.Joining them on the sidelines is another all-rounder, Gareth Delany, who sustained an injury in a club game on Monday evening.Coming into the squad are Tim Tector, Stephen Doheny and spin bowler Gavin Hoey.Tector, 22, made his international debut against Zimbabwe in February and is the younger brother of experienced batter Harry.Doheny, 26, played three T20Is against Zimbabwe in January 2023, while 23-year-old Hoey participated in two ODIs in 2024, but has not played T20I cricket yet.The T20 encounters will be played on Thursday 12 June, Saturday 14 June and Sunday 15 June.Ireland national men's selector Andrew White said injuries to key players had made it "a trying period of late"."Both the recent ODI series, and this month's T20I series, against West Indies have really tested the strength of depth in our talent pool," said White."While we never like to see a player injured, such circumstances do offer an opportunity for other players to step up and demonstrate their talent."With the next Men's T20 World Cup approaching in February 2026, this series is an important part of preparing the squad for the challenge and will serve as a good barometer of where we are at."Ireland squad for West Indies T20I series: Paul Stirling (capt) , Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Gavin Hoey, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Liam McCarthy, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White.