(Cricket news) DUBLIN – Cricket Ireland has today named a 12-player squad that will travel to England this Sunday to play in a four-day red-ball match against Gloucestershire 2nd XI in Bristol between 20-23 June 2022. The first of three such red-ball tours planned this summer and forms part of Ireland’s preparations for its return Test cricket. The match will be played at Bristol Cricket Club.

The squad is:
Neil Rock (Rush) (captain), James McCollum (Waringstown), Morgan Topping (Waringstown), Alistair Frost (Malahide), Graham Kennedy (CIYMS), PJ Moor (Clontarf), Phillippe le Roux (Railway Union), Cade Carmichael (Instonians), Graham Hume (Waringstown), David Delany (Clontarf), Josh Manley (Lisburn), Cian Robertson (Instonians).
 
Pete Johnston, Cricket Ireland’s Academy and Performance Manager, said:                                                                                           “The national selectors have chosen an exciting and competitive squad, with a mix of youth and experience, for the fixture against Gloucestershire 2nd XI. With the prospect of a return to Test cricket on the horizon for Ireland Men, the match will allow us to provide some of our emerging talent the opportunity to gain a higher-level experience in red ball cricket, while it will also provide some of our fringe senior internationals the chance to re-gain some exposure to red ball cricket. 

“To be exposed to play against professional players over four days on good pitches and quality facilities will be invaluable. In terms of player selection, Murray Commins was originally selected but has had to withdraw due to a back injury, while Stephen Doheny has also withdrawn after being called up to the senior T20I squad. In addition, Scott Macbeth and Tim Tector were not considered due to completing their Leaving Certificate examinations.

“We would like to thank Gloucestershire for their support and working with us to put this fixture on.”

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