Ireland Squad Picked for Three-Match T20I Against England

Cricket Ireland unveiled its 14-man Ireland squad for the forthcoming T20I series against England, which will be played on September 17, 19, and 21 at Malahide. This is an important milestone, as it will be Ireland hosting England in a T20I series for the first time on Irish soil.

The team includes a prominent debutant along with some returning cricketers, but also a few major absentees because of injury, some of whom are frontline pacemen Josh Little and Mark Adair.

Ben Calitz Makes First Senior Selection in Ireland Squad

23-year-old left-handed wicketkeeper-batter Ben Calitz, who was born in Vancouver, Canada, has been awarded his first senior call-up. Having relocated to Ireland in 2022, Calitz impressed at the domestic level for Munster Reds and Northern Knights, and subsequently played during the Ireland Wolves tour of UAE in April.

Calitz is the lone uncapped member of the team and provides both left-hand batting depth and wicketkeeping cover as Ireland continues to add squad depth prior to the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.

Missing Key Players in Ireland Squad: Josh Little, Mark Adair, and Fionn Hand Out Injured

The Ireland team will lose its two most seasoned pace bowlers:

Josh Little, the left-arm seamer who has been struggling with a side strain, suffered a setback when he injured his side playing for Middlesex in the One-Day Cup. He had played only a single competitive match since July.

Mark Adair is also not available after having knee surgery in August. He should be back in time for Ireland’s Test tour of Bangladesh in November.

Fionn Hand, a pace bowling option who played in Ireland’s 2023 Test against Lord’s, is also out with injury.

In their place, returning is Jordan Neill, offering bowling cover and following from his limited outing over the ODI series against West Indies earlier in the summer.

Returning Players Strengthen Middle Order and Bowling Attack

The Ireland team welcomes back:

Gareth Delany

Curtis Campher

Craig Young

All three established their fitness through the recently concluded Emerald Challenge series and will look to bolster Ireland’s middle order as well as pace resources.

Skipper Paul Stirling Takes Charge Pre T20 World Cup

Ireland veteran opener Paul Stirling will lead the team, as Ireland ramps up preparations ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup to be hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka.

Ireland Selector Andrew White said:

“While it’s disappointing to lose experienced bowlers like Mark, Josh, and Fionn, this series is a key opportunity for other players to step up. We’re building toward the World Cup, and this England series is a valuable part of that process.”

White also emphasized the need to strengthen Ireland’s middle-order batting, an area that Calitz’s inclusion is aimed at addressing.

England Series: Historic and Crucial

The series is historic the first England v Ireland T20I series to be played in Ireland, with Sunday’s game already sold out. The two nations have only come face-to-face twice in T20Is: