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Andrew Balbirnie out of T20Is as Ireland name squads for South Africa white-ball series
Ireland have announced their squads for the upcoming white-ball series against South Africa in UAE. Crucial figure Andrew Balbirnie has been left out of the T20I squad, while he has made it to the ODIs. Paul Stirling will be leading both the squads. Players like Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, and George Dockrell have all been included in both ODI and T20I squads. Andrew Balbirnie has been confirmed to open the batting for Ireland in ODIs.
“One area we will explore on this tour is the top order in our T20 squad. We’ll be looking at introducing a new dynamic, with Andrew Balbirnie sitting out the T20Is on this occasion. There are only two T20Is in the upcoming series, but they will offer important opportunities as we try to increase our levels of performance again,” Ireland selector Andrew White said.
"Andrew remains very much central to our thoughts and will open the batting in the ODIs."
Andrew White also stressed that this series marks the beginning of a new cycle as Ireland get their preparations for the T20I World Cup and ODI World Cup underway. Both the showpiece events will be held in 2026 and 2027 respectively. Against South Africa, Ireland will play three ODIs and two T20Is.
"2026 and 2027 are pivotal years for our white-ball squads - those years being the next T20 and 50-over World Cups respectively. Given their timeframes, it means we are looking at this upcoming series against South Africa as the start of a new cycle," White said.
Ireland men’s ODI squad: Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Gavin Hoey, Fionn Hand, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Andy McBrine, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young
Ireland men’s T20I squad: Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Fionn Hand, Matthew Humphreys, Graham Hume, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young
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