Ahead of the ODI series between England and Ireland, The Cricketer explores some of the more intriguing battles that could play a part in deciding the series
It's only a whistle-stop series, but between Thursday and Tuesday – with the weather set fair –England and Ireland could well produce some intriguing cricket, with several interesting match-ups to consider.
There is the case of Curtis Campher, the exciting allrounder who might make his international debut for Ireland, having already represented South Africa at under-19 level.
And then the battle of two explosive top orders – one widely regarded as the world's best, the other equally enterprising and combining the experience of Paul Stirling with the burgeoning fearlessness of Gareth Delany. Likewise with the ball; will Ireland opt for Josh Little among their seam attack, knowing both his own personal record against England and also their hosts' recent relative difficulties against left-arm seamers?
England, of course, have picked something of a skeleton outfit, with overlapping Test series against West Indies and Pakistan accounting for almost half of last year's World Cup-winning squad. There are battles, therefore, within Eoin Morgan's own side for places in a first-choice white-ball side when availability returns to normality.
If it is possible to have a surprise name in a squad narrowed down from 22 to 14, then Curtis Campher might well be that man.
The South Africa-born allrounder was handed an emerging contract earlier this year and impressed in February when Ireland Wolves faced Namibia in Pretoria, with scores during a T20 series of 45 and 62*, as well as a further half century in a subsequent 50-over clash.
Still only 21 years of age – and a dual national holding an Irish passport, his progress through the ranks has come after he received clearance from Cricket South Africa to be released from his contract in order to facilitate his move to Ireland.
He joined Dublin’s YMCA Cricket Club in December 2019 as part of his relocation to Ireland, having initially been identified some time ago as part of Cricket Ireland’s global talent scouting.
Back in February, chairman of selectors Andrew White explained: “Not only does he come highly recommended, but we have first-hand knowledge of him both through head coach Graham Ford and the fact he played against our senior side in a warmup match before the 2018 World Cup Qualifier tournament.”
He impressed again at the Ageas Bowl last week in an intra-squad practice game, making an unbeaten 34, before taking the wickets of Simi Singh and George Dockrell, all of which has led to this – a first senior international call-up.
“He has tested me every time I have faced him in the nets and he is certainly up for the battle and will relish the challenge if he gets the opportunity,” enthused captain Andrew Balbirnie.
Campher, though, has come up against England before; during his time growing up, he represented South Africa Under-19s, touring the UK in 2018. He proved to be the match-winner with his batting in the first game between the sides, making a crucial 43, before dismissing Tom Banton – England’s captain that day – to give his side a vital wicket.
It all means that over the course of the next week, the stars might align for the pair to do battle once more.
Josh Little took four wickets on his ODI debut for Ireland against England
Two top orders with similar mindsets. Two bowling attacks likely to find themselves under siege. The qualities of Paul Stirling need no introduction – one of the most consistently brutal – and brutally consistent – white-ball openers that county cricket has seen in recent years, and a mindset that has served him equally well on the international stage. A run-a-ball fifty in Ireland’s warmup game against England Lions last week featured much of that trademark aggression, including one particularly outrageous blow over extra cover for six. In recent years, though, he has reined himself in at times to give Ireland the more consistent platforms they have needed.
In Delany, he has a willing partner. Uber-attacking himself, as well as being a useful leg-spin option and a fine fielder, the 23-year-old will come out of the blocks hard.
And given the firepower at England’s own disposal, that is just as well. Ireland have already felt the full force of the strength in depth of Eoin Morgan’s white-ball group, having been pummelled by Phil Salt and James Vince during their preparations. Salt is not even in England’s final 14, with the World Cup-winning duo of Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow very much the men in possession – perhaps the most intimidating opening pair going in the limited-over game at the moment.
Josh Little has only ever faced England once in ODI cricket; it was on his debut at Malahide, and he ended with figures of 4 for 45.
There is no guarantee that he will make the side for the first instalment of this three-match series on Thursday, with Little, Barry McCarthy and Craig Young possibly fighting it out for one spot if Ireland opt for Campher, Boyd Rankin and the spin pairing of Singh and Andy McBrine.
The 20-year-old was taken for 71 in just 6.4 overs on Sunday by England’s rampant batsmen, but their record in recent history against left-armers suggests that he might well be worth a punt.
Head coach Ford admitted in his press conference that Little would stand a good chance, but also added: “It's no good just picking somebody because the opposition have a perceived weakness against that type of bowling.
“He's gone quite nicely. I'd like to see him just step it up a little bit, but it's nice to know we've got that sort of variation to our attack. He's a really exciting prospect.”
Curtis Campher celebrates dismissing Tom Banton for South Africa Under-19 (above)
England, too, are likely to field at least one left-armer, having included both David Willey and Reece Topley in their 14-man squad. In both cases, there are heart-warming stories at play.
Topley, speaking to The Cricketer, admitted that he was just thrilled to be back enjoying his cricket after four years of struggles with injury.
“I just want to have a really fun summer, a good series here and tick all the boxes for whoever is selecting the squad for the World Cup,” he said. “If I do that hopefully they can put their faith in me and I’ll deliver.”
In the case of Willey, this opportunity is one he hadn’t seen coming when he was left out of last year’s World Cup squad. It is a chance to represent England once again, having begun to believe that his time had passed. Given Stirling’s strength at staying legside of the ball and hitting through cover, the Yorkshire bowler’s ability to swing the ball back into the right-hander might just pay dividends.
So much depth, so few spaces. This is an England squad missing seven World Cup winners: Joe Root, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes, Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes are on Test duty, while Liam Plunkett – a hero of last summer – has not been picked since.
Even so, it is a mark of the immense queue of talent waiting in the wings that there is still no room in this skeleton squad for Salt – a centurion off just 58 balls against the same opponents last week, Chris Jordan, Pat Brown and Dawid Malan – due to injury, or Alex Hales – not picked by England since being deselected on the eve of the World Cup. Liam Livingstone, Lewis Gregory and Richard Gleeson are only reserves.
It means that for those included, this is a big week. For Joe Denly, holder of a white-ball contract, this is an opportunity ahead of the return of the big guns. Likewise, Sam Billings – who missed much of last season through injury but returned as Morgan’s lieutenant during the T20I series in New Zealand. For Vince, a player of such class, here is a chance to prove he has learnt. For Banton, whose precocious talent has been well documented, this a series to add tangible scores to crystal-clear potential.
They will all be on the same team, but they will know that they sit in partial competition with one another.
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