 George Dockrell celebrates after taking a wicket in the World Twenty20 |
Ireland will be without teenage spinner George Dockrell for their one-day international against Australia in Dunlin on 17 June. The 17-year-old is taking exams and his absence from the the 13-man squad is a major blow for coach Phil Simmons. "It's a pity that George can't make the game - he had been bowling really well and settled in superbly to international cricket," said Simmons. All-rounder Nigel Jones will also miss the Clontarf encounter. Simmons has kept faith with the squad which played in the ICC World Twenty20 last month in the West Indies, with Jones and Dockrell the only players missing from the tournament. The Irish coach is relishing the opportunity to pit his wits against the current world champions. "It's a chance for the players to showcase their talents against the best in the business," he added. "We're playing on home soil, in familiar conditions, and with the backing of our home fans. "We may have lost the surprise factor against the full member teams in the past few years, but we have certainly gained their respect. "No-one treats us lightly any more, as they know if their game drops, we are ready to pounce. "I'll be looking for the players to play with the same intensity that they showed in the West Indies. We did really well in the field against both West Indies and the eventual winners England."
Ireland squad: William Porterfield (capt) (Gloucestershire), Trent Johnston (Railway Union), Andre Botha (North County), Peter Connell (North Down), Alex Cusack (Clontarf), Gary Kidd (Waringstown), John Mooney North County), Kevin O'Brien (Railway Union), Niall O'Brien (Northants), Boyd Rankin (Warwickshire), Paul Stirling (Middlesex), Andrew White (Instonians), Gary Wilson (Surrey)
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