15 member Ireland squad announced for the ODI series in January

Cricket Ireland will be having two ODI series against UAE and Afghanistan in January.

The 16-man squad for the two ODI series against the UAE and Afghanistan was announced recently.

The ODI series against Afghanistan will be part of the World Cup Super League.

This will be Ireland first international action since their dramatic run-chase victory over World Champions England back in early August.

Players and support staff, who are not on the tour, will remain at home under Covid-19 safe conditions. These people will be called in if a substitute needs to be flown out to Abu Dhabi during the month, said Cricket Ireland.

Gary Wilson will miss this tour because of the birth of his second child. Neil Rock coming in as wicket-keeping cover.

There is also no place for the likes of George Dockrell, William Porterfield, Boyd Rankin, who were all part of the touring party to England in August.

The Ireland team have played just 12 international matches in 2020, however head coach Graham Ford believes the squad can be pleased with the progress they have made despite the disrupted year.

The dates and venues of the two series are yet to be finalised.

Ireland squad: Andrew Balbirnie (c), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, David Delany, Gareth Delany, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, Kevin O’Brien, Neil Rock, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.