 Porterfield misses the games because of his Gloucestershire commitments |
Captain William Porterfield and Niall O'Brien will miss the upcoming matches against West Indies A and next month's World Cricket League games in Holland. Porterfield, O'Brien and Boyd Rankin are ruled out because of commitments with their English counties. Gary Kidd and Peter Connell are also left out while there are first Ireland call-ups for all-rounder Albert van der Merwe and Sussex bowler Craig Young. Andrew Poynter and Phil Eaglestone are also recalled to the Irish squad. Poynter has been in good form so far this season both for Clontarf and Ireland A. With Porterfield unavailable, Trent Johnston is handed the captaincy for the games. Ireland coach Phil Simmons said that the 23 and 25 June games against West Indies A at Stormont and the World League Division 1 matches in Holland from 1-10 July would offer him the "chance to try out new players".  | There are still eight or nine of the team who started the games in the ICC World Twenty20 Ireland coach Phil Simmons |
"The county players have one and four-day games over the period, so we have to plan without them," said Simmons. "It's always a balancing act with the counties, and we've got bigger games ahead. "The Bangladesh games are vital in terms of ranking points, and in testing ourselves against teams who are above us at the minute. "The quick bowling is our weakest area, so it's a chance for us to try out Craig Young to see what he can do, and also for Phil Eaglestone who has been on the periphery now for a few seasons. "In the spin department, Albert van der Merwe has started the season well with his club, so he'll get his opportunity. "It'll be a chance too for me to see Rory McCann with Niall (O'Brien) unavailable. "While I agree it doesn't look the strongest squad at first glance, there are still eight or nine of the team who started the games in the ICC World Twenty20," concluded Simmons.
Squad for West Indies A games (23 and 25 June Stormont): Trent Johnston, Andre Botha, Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, Phil Eaglestone, Nigel Jones, John Mooney, Kevin O'Brien, Andrew Poynter, Paul Stirling, Albert van der Merwe, Andrew White, Gary Wilson Squad for World Cricket League (Netherlands 1-10 July): Trent Johnston, Andre Botha, Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, Phil Eaglestone, Nigel Jones, Rory McCann, John Mooney, Kevin O'Brien, Andrew Poynter, Paul Stirling, Albert van der Merwe, Andrew White, Gary Wilson, Craig Young
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