Cricket Ireland Add Seamer Stuart Thompson To The Squad For England ODIs

Cricket Ireland have added right-arm speedster Stuart Thompson to their 22-member squad ahead of the ODI series against England, consisting of three matches. Stuart Thomson’s addition came following Ajeet Dale’s injury. International cricket began on the 8th of July as England took on the West Indies in the first of the three matches in Southampton.

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Stuart Thompson’s exclusion came as a surprise as chief selector Andrew White said that instead of that several younger players will be travelling to England. The ECB had named four Hampshire players in Scott Currie, Ajeet Dale, Harry Petrie, and James Todd as part of the extended squad. However, Dale’s injury opened the doors of Thomson’s inclusion.

Due to COVID-19 protocols, Hampshire was unable to arrange any replacement. Thompson, who has so far played in 64 fixtures across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is for the national team underwent testing and received clearance to join the squad.

The 28-year-old’s addition also means that Shane Getkate is the only centrally-contracted player not to travel to England.

The squad will leave Dublin via a charter flight on Saturday before going by bus to the Ageas or Rose Bowl where they would reside for a little more than two weeks. They will clash in an intra-squad warm-up game on the 22nd of July while another one will take place against the England Lions on the 26th of July.

Post the two practice games; the selectors will finalise the 14-man squad for the three-game rubber. Southampton will play as hosts for all three matches.

The revised Ireland squad for England ODIs:

Mark Adair, Andy Balbirnie (captain), Curtis Campher, Peter Chase, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Jonathan Garth, Tyrone Kane, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, Kevin O’Brien, William Porterfield, Boyd Rankin, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Stuart Thompson, Lorcan Tucker, Gary Wilson, Craig Young

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