Ireland announce 15-strong squad for 2023 Cricket World Cup qualifiers

Andrew Balbirnie will captain Ireland at the 10-team tournament in Zimbabwe

Ireland have announced a 15-strong squad for the upcoming 2023 Cricket World Cup qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe.

The qualifier, which will run from June 18 to July 9, will see 10 teams compete for the final two berths at the 50-over showpiece in India this autumn.

Ireland have been placed in Group B alongside Sri Lanka, Scotland, Oman and UAE.

Andrew Balbirnie will captain Ireland, who are currently ranked 12th in the ICC ODI rankings.

Ireland have an abundance of pace options in their ranks, including Josh Little, who has made quite the name for himself in the world of franchise T20 cricket thanks to his performances for Manchester Originals in The Hundred and Gujarat Titans in the IPL.

^{Josh Little is among Ireland's 15-strong squad [Robert Cianflone/Getty Images]}

Wicketkeeper-batter PJ Moor is included in the squad and will return to Zimbabwe where he played for the national team from 2014 to 2019.

He captained Zimbabwe's ODI side against UAE in 2019 before switching allegiance to Ireland after qualifying for the national side in October 2022. He made his Ireland debut against Bangladesh in April 2023.

Andrew White, the Ireland men's team selector, said: "We're heading into a big few months and it's looking at what personnel we need from a tactical point of view, who are in form, and a squad composition that suits the conditions we are likely to face.

"Qualifier events are tough, cut-throat competitions at times and a balance of talent, form and experience is essential."

Ireland will play two warm up games against United States and Netherlands before kickstarting their qualifying campaign against Oman on June 19.

Ireland squad: Andrew Balbirnie (c), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Josh Little, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, PJ Moor, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young

Related Topics

• Schedule confirmed for 2023 Cricket World Cup qualifying tournament

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