The Irish Cricket Union has named a 22-man squad for January's winter training with Trent Johnston at the helm as Ireland look to follow on from their successful campaign this year.
However, John Mooney, Dom Joyce, Kenny Carroll, Jason Molins and
Dave Langford-Smith are all notable omissions.
Exile Langford-Smith is ruled himself out as he is about to
start up a painting and decorating business, and will be forced to
miss the first half of the 2008 season. He will however
attend training sessions to maintain fitness levels.
While not excluding anyone from future selection, Irish coach
Phil Simmons confirmed that the squad which will travel to the UAE
and Bangladesh pre-season will be chosen from the 22 named.
Simmons has also shown that he isn't afraid to give youth a
chance, with no fewer than four of the Ireland Under 19 squad being
named, namely left armer Gavin McKenna from North Down, 17-year-old
prodigy Paul Stirling from Cliftonville, all rounder James Hall
from Waringstown, and leg spinner Greg Thompson of Lisburn, who has
already won senior caps.
Four other players included still have to win a full senior
cap, Reinhardt Strydom, Phil Eaglestone, Peter Connell and Andrew
Poynter, who all played for Ireland 'A' against Denmark and the
MCC.
Opening batsman Jeremy Bray returns to the fold after missing
much of the end of the 2007 season. The prolific left hander opted
for a rest following Ireland's World Cup exploits, and wasn't
recalled to the side as a number of openers were tried, albeit with
little success.
Ireland winter training squad:Trent Johnston
(Railway Union), Andre Botha (North County), Jeremy Bray (The
Hills), Peter Connell (North Down), Alex Cusack (Clontarf), Phil
Eaglestone (Strabane) , Thinus Fourie (Merrion), James Hall
(Waringstown), Gary Kidd (Waringstown), Kyle McCallan
(Waringstown), Gavin McKenna (North Down), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex),
Kevin O' Brien (Railway Union), Niall O' Brien (Northants), William
Porterfield (Gloucestershire), Andrew Poynter (Clontarf), Boyd
Rankin (Warwickshire), Paul Stirling (Cliftonville), Reinhardt
Strydom (North County), Greg Thompson (Lisburn), Andrew White
(Instonians), Gary Wilson (Surrey)