Cricket Ireland squad for next month's tour of India
Cricket Ireland has announced a 17 man squad for their tour of India next month.
The squad will be based at the Pune Sports Club from November 1 to 22, and will play four matches against invitational sides made up entirely of first class cricketers.
The camp is being organised by the Global Cricket School, who ran a similar programme for the Ireland Under 19's in Australia just before the start of the U19 World Cup in January.
Hamish Marshall is included in the touring party for the first time, while Ed Joyce is back in an Ireland squad after his spell with England. Joyce last played for Ireland in the ICC Trophy final against Scotland in July 2005.
Joyce and Marshall don't become eligible to represent Ireland in official ODI's until April next year, but Ireland have asked ICC for a special dispensation to allow both to take part in the World Cup which starts next February - an ICC decision on their participation is expected soon.
The remainder of the squad contains few surprises, with Boyd Rankin and Regan West still recuperating from their injuries, but Alex Cusack returns after his recent operation, which meant he missed the tour of Zimbabwe.
Philip Smith, CEO RSA Ireland, commented: "This marks the real start of the build-up to the World Cup for the squad. RSA are delighted that our help is ensuring that the Irish squad leave no stone unturned in preparing for the tournament. We wish Phil and all the players the best in the coming months."
Ireland coach Phil Simmons said of the tour: "It's a fantastic opportunity for the squad to acclimatise and bond together during the three weeks in India. I've put together a demanding programme covering physical, technical and tactical elements. We'll also be playing four games against quality opposition, so the players will get a chance to impress in subcontinental conditions.
"Although Ed and Hamish aren't officially available yet, I've taken the opportunity to bring them along. This is a great chance for them to meet the players and vice versa. They have proven quality, and will be a great addition to our playing strength.
"We're fortunate to have the resources to embark on this training camp, thanks to the support of our team sponsor RSA, and ICC. Everyone is aware of the need to impress at the World Cup, given the decision to have a ten team tournament in 2015. It's vital we stay high in the world rankings, and continue to compete and indeed defeat full member countries. We've reached the quarter final stage of two of the last three major tournaments, and that could well have been three in a row bar the rain intervening in our game with England in Guyana."
On the injuries to Boyd Rankin and Regan West , Simmons said: "We opted not to take Boyd with us, as he would have been unable to bowl with his foot injury. He'll stay in Birmingham where he'll continue to train with Warwickshire who are monitoring his fitness and recovery schedule. We'll assess Regan again when we return from India - he still has a chance of making the World Cup."
The Ireland squad in full is as follows: William Porterfield (Captain) (Warwickshire), Andre Botha (North County), Alex Cusack (Clontarf), George Dockrell (Leinster), Allan Eastwood (Pembroke), Trent Johnston (Railway Union), Nigel Jones (CSN), Ed Joyce (Sussex), Hamish Marshall (Gloucestershire), John Mooney (North County), Kevin O'Brien (Railway Union), Niall O'Brien (Northants), Andrew Poynter (Clontarf), Paul Stirling (Middlesex), Albert van der Merwe (The Hills), Andrew White (Instonians), Gary Wilson (Surrey).
Phil Simmons (Coach), Pete Johnston (Asst coach/video analyst), Kieran O'Reilly (Physio), Brendan Connor (Strength and conditioning coach), Mark Garaway (Cricket Operations Director)