20-05-2025
Ireland dealt double injury blow ahead of West Indies clash: ‘This series will be a real test of our depth'
Craig Young and Curtis Campher have been ruled out of the three-match ODI clash at Clontarf having both sustained injuries in the lead-up to the series.
They add to Ireland's growing injury list, further impacting their seam attack with Mark Adair, Graham Hume and Fionn Hand already enforced absentees in that department.
Bowler Young (35) has been ruled out on the back of a hamstring injury sustained during the North West Warriors' Inter-Provincial Cup defeat to the Leinster Lightning last week.
Twenty-six-year-old Campher, meanwhile, fractured a finger while batting in the nets on Monday and the all-rounder has also been taken out of the firing line ahead of the West Indies encounter.
Ireland National Men's Selector Andrew White lamented the pair's absences and admits the upcoming series will be a test of the squad's depth, however he also believes it presents a golden opportunity for some of Ireland's young guns to step up to the plate.
'It's not ideal when you lose a player to injury just prior to a series, but unfortunately, both Young and Campher join a bit of a lengthy list on the rehabilitation table,' said White.
'Most pertinently, our seam attack is heavily impacted with Mark Adair, Graham Hume, Craig Young, Fionn Hand and Curtis Campher all out.
'This series will be a real test of our depth, and instead of bemoaning what we won't have, my view is that these absences provide a real opportunity for some of our up-and-coming talent to play at home against a world-class opposition.'
Teenager Jordan Neill (19) has been called up to fill Derryman Young's void, while Stephen Doheny (26) is drafted in to replace Campher.
Ireland get their clash with the West Indies under way on Wednesday, May 21 before the sides lock horns again on Friday, May 23 and Sunday, May 25 (all 10.45am starts).
