Harry Tector sees his form against the West Indies rewarded with a return to Ireland's T20 squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers.
Tector scored 159 runs in the 2-1 ODI series win at an average of 79.5, earning himself a recall after being dropped from the post-World Cup winter T20 squad.
Ireland departed that tournament at an early stage after being knocked out by Namibia.
Shane Getkate and Barry McCarthy both missed out on that T20 World Cup in October but see their names included in the 14-man group for the qualifiers. Neil Rock and Ben White saw gametime during that tournament but are only included as travelling resrves.
Rock being only among the reserves means that Lorcan Tucker will be rewarded with the wicketkeeper spot after back-to-back half-centuries against the USA before Christmas.
It is a welcome return for Tucker, Getkate, Simi Singh and skipper Andrew Balbirnie who missed the business end West Indies series win due to Covid.
The only player to miss out who was involved in the winter tours to the US and the Caribbean is William McClintock. Named in those squads as a potential power option in a middle order that needs boundary-hitters, McClintock failed to fire in the two games he played and has likely fallen victim to the smaller squad sizes imposed by the ICC for the qualifiers.
Ireland need to reach the final of the tournament in Oman in order to qualify for the World Cup in Australia later this year. They are drawn in group one alongside the UAE, Bahrain and Germany.
Chairman of selectors Andrew White spoke at the squad release of his hope that the group can carry over their good 50-over form to the shorter format:
“We were all pleased to see the resilience, grit, and fight by the squad on display in the West Indies - these are characteristics that have always been part of Irish cricket, and I know the team is looking to exemplify this in their on-field performances.
“As we look ahead to the T20 World Cup qualifier, we know it will be a series of tough, hard-fought games, but hopefully, we can carry the confidence and momentum of the recent series forward to the qualifier and beyond. The individual performances of the likes of Andy McBrine and Harry Tector were well reported, but the willingness of the squad as a whole to battle through a challenging tour and finish the way they did is a great credit to them.
“I know that the players and coaches were as disappointed as the fans about the early exit from the T20 World Cup last year - but, I also am aware how keenly this group is to rectify the failings of the past. It’s only a short turn around period between the West Indies series and the qualifier, but it will be enough for the squad to recharge and be ready for an important tournament ahead.”
Ireland Men’s squad:
Andrew Balbirnie (c), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Shane Getkate, Josh Little, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.
Travelling reserves:
Neil Rock, Ben White
