HARARE, Zimbabwe – Ireland Wolves cricket team (the Ireland Men’s A team) is set to begin a series beginning with two Four-Day Matches, followed by five One-Day Matches against Zimbabwe A tomorrow as an important development opportunity for some of Ireland’s newest internationals, up-and-coming prospects along with a few players returning from injury.
The series is being split between the Harare Sports Club, Takashinga and the Old Hararians Sports Club as Ireland’s players gain valuable experience in Zimbabwe, which is also one of the host countries for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup being held late next year.
Matthew Humphreys leads the team, adding to his captaincy experience which includes captaining the Northern Knights in the Inter-Provincial Cup and Trophy as well as the Strikers in the Emerald Challenge Four-Day Match.
All matches will be shown live on the Zimbabwe Cricket YouTube channel. Additionally, scores will be available through Cricket Ireland’s website.
Ryan Eagleson, Ireland Men’s bowling coach, returns to the set-up after time out with an injury. On being back on tour, he said:
“I am delighted to get back on tour. I had a pretty nasty injury so I’m just happy to get back with the boys to a place I’ve toured quite a lot. We always have really good contests against Zimbabwe. This tour, we have a great mix of two red-ball games and then five one-day games so it’s a great chance to see how the guys progress over the tour.”
About the Wolves seam attack:
“In some ways it is an inexperienced group but I look at Mark Adair and Josh Little and the wealth of experience they bring to the squad and it’s great to have those guys around for that. One big positive for me is that all the seam bowlers on this trip have played for the Ireland senior team in at least one format, and this is just another step for them on their learning curve.”
About the opportunity to play red-ball (four-day) cricket:
“It’s crucial that we have red-ball cricket here for these players’ development; that they learn that when you’re on top in red-ball cricket that you hammer that advantage home, but also that there can be times when the batters are on top and you’ve got to learn to stay in the game. Similarly, we have five one-day matches which will have a great atmosphere at the two grounds and all you can ask is that the guys keep learning.”
About Matthew Humphreys as captain:
“With Matthew, he’s had experience captaining the Northern Knights; he captained in the Emerald Challenge this year as well, so he has done it before and we’re excited to see what he brings. He’s a natural leader, he’s got a bit of fight about him as well. He’s got that aggressive nature – even when he bowls left-arm spin – he wants to get in the contest. That’s one of the characteristics I look for in a cricketer and in a leader and I think it will be really beneficial to Matthew in his development – he’ll learn a lot along the way in the tour.”
IRELAND WOLVES – Red-ball matches
- Matthew Humphreys (c)
- Mark Adair
- Ben Calitz
- Cade Carmichael
- Chris Defreitas
- Stephen Doheny
- Jake Egan
- Gavin Hoey
- Matthew Hollard
- Liam McCarthy
- Byron McDonough
- Jai Moondra
- Jordan Neill
- Tim Tector
- Reuben Wilson
IRELAND WOLVES – White-ball matches
- Matthew Humphreys (c)
- Ben Calitz
- Cade Carmichael
- Chris Defreitas
- David Delany
- Gareth Delany
- Stephen Doheny
- Gavin Hoey
- Matthew Hollard
- Josh Little
- Liam McCarthy
- Byron McDonough
- Jai Moondra
- Jordan Neill
- Tim Tector
FIXTURES
Ireland Wolves v Zimbabwe A 4-Day Series
- 5-8 November: Ireland Wolves v Zimbabwe A – 1st Four-day match (Harare Sports Club; start time: 8am* (GMT))
- 12-15 November: Ireland Wolves v Zimbabwe A – 2nd Four-day match (Harare Sports Club; start time: 8am* (GMT))
Ireland Wolves v Zimbabwe A ODM Series
- 18 November: Ireland Wolves v Zimbabwe A – 1st ODM (Old Hararians Sports Club; start time: 7.30am* (GMT))
- 20 November: Ireland Wolves v Zimbabwe A – 2nd ODM (Old Hararians Sports Club; start time: 7.30am* (GMT))
- 22 November: Ireland Wolves v Zimbabwe A – 3rd ODM (Old Hararians Sports Club; start time: 7.30am* (GMT))
- 25 November: Ireland Wolves v Zimbabwe A – 4th ODM (Harare Sports Club; start time: 7.30am* (GMT))
- 27 November: Ireland Wolves v Zimbabwe A – 5th ODM (Harare Sports Club; start time: 7.30am* (GMT))
HOW TO WATCH
- Every match will be streamed on Zimbabwe Cricket YouTube
FOLLOW:
- You can see all the match scores via www.cricketireland.ie
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