(Cricket news) Josh Little has been retained in the Ireland squad for the US tour. Josh is currently playing in the Lanka Premier League and his inclusion will boost the Ireland Men’s squad ahead of the start of the multi-format series starting next week.
The Ireland Men’s squad arrived in Miami today ahead of the historic first ever full series against the USA in their backyard, with all players and coaches on the flight successfully passing their first pre-series COVID tests since landing. The squad’s first training session is Friday afternoon in Fort Lauderdale.
However, a number of members of the squad are yet to join up with their teammates, or had their departures delayed, as a result of the pandemic.
Barry McCarthy and George Dockrell tested positive during pre-series testing, they have to complete their isolation period and will fly out once if they then return a negative PCR result; Harry Tector and Gareth Delany are already in Florida, having played in the recent US T20 Open tournament – both tested positive prior to joining up with squad and have started their 10-day in room isolation. Craig Young was identified on the eve of departure as a close contact of a positive case, and kept under Northern Ireland guidelines. Young is not permitted to travel for 10 days and must receive a negative PCR test before he can join the squad. Assistant Coach Gary Wilson has had to delay his departure after it appears he received a false positive report on his pre-series COVID test. He is being re-tested and if there are no issues he will fly out on Sunday.
Richard Holdsworth, High Performance Director for Cricket Ireland, said: “We are pleased to have our squad arrive in Miami and are all looking forward to the series ahead. We have experienced a few last minute complications related to COVID, but with the extended traveling squad that we have taken, and the recall of Josh Little from Sri Lanka, we don’t foresee any issues with the series proceeding as scheduled.
“Several of our players have had their departures from Ireland delayed, but we are hopeful they can join the squad in Florida in a few days. Likewise, Assistant Coach Gary Wilson – who we believe may have received a false positive, couldn’t depart with the main squad. He’ll be re-tested again today and we hope will be cleared to travel shortly.
“Harry Tector and Gareth Delany, who were already in Florida, respectively returned positive results via antigen tests before they could join up with the squad, and will remain separately until they have undergone PCR tests to confirm their status.
“We have been very fortunate over the last 20 months to have had very few COVID-related issues impacting upon our international teams – and while the last few days have forced us into some last minute juggling, we are optimistic that we can minimize the impact on the USA series.”
Tour Schedule
USA tour leg
20 December: USA Invitational XI v Ireland Men – warm-up match, 22 December: USA Men v Ireland Men – 1st T20I, 23 December: USA Men v Ireland Men – 2nd T20I, 26 December: USA Men v Ireland Men – 1st ODI 28 December: USA Men v Ireland Men – 2nd ODI, 30 December: USA Men v Ireland Men – 3rd ODI
West Indies tour leg
January 8: 1st CG Insurance ODI – West Indies v Ireland, January 11: 2nd CG Insurance ODI – West Indies v Ireland, January 14: 3rd CG Insurance ODI – West Indies v Ireland, January 16: T20I International – West Indies v Ireland
A warm-up match prior to the first ODI will be announced in due course.
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