Cricket Ireland has announced the Ireland Men’s squad for the initial three matches of the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series against Afghanistan. The five-match series is scheduled to be held at Bready and Stormont, commencing on August 5, 2026. This series marks the first assignment for newly appointed Head Coach Gary Wilson, who will lead the coaching unit.
The squad sees the return of captain Paul Stirling, who missed the recent India T20I series due to an injury sustained at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. However, the team continues to face challenges with several players unavailable due to injury or ongoing return-to-play protocols. These players include Josh Little, Matt Hollard, Craig Young, Barry McCarthy, Jordan Neill, and David Delany.
The selection committee has opted to name the squad for the first three matches only, with the final two ODIs to be determined after assessing the fitness of the injured players. This approach allows for potential changes to the squad based on player recovery.
New faces and key inclusions
The squad features several new additions, with Jai Moondra earning his maiden call-up to the ODI format. Moondra impressed during the recent India T20I series, which saw Ireland achieve historic victories. He is one of two players in the squad, alongside Ben Calitz, who have played T20I cricket but are yet to make their 50-over international debut.
Pace bowler Byron McDonough, who is 24-years old, has also received his first call-up to the national side. His inclusion follows strong performances in the recently concluded Inter-Provincial 50-over Cup, where he played a key role in helping Leinster Lightning secure the title. McDonough claimed eight wickets in five matches during the domestic campaign, and has a total of 15 wickets across nine List A appearances at an average of 29.33.
Ben Calitz also receives his first ODI squad call-up. Andrew White, Cricket Ireland’s National Selector, highlighted the attributes these new players bring to the team. White noted that Moondra and McDonough possess qualities that can significantly impact the series. He also mentioned Gavin Hoey, who is expected to provide a wicket-taking threat in the middle overs with his ability to spin the ball both ways and pressure opposition batters. From a batting perspective, Calitz’s dynamic approach is seen as a valuable asset for the middle to lower order, offering options to change the game’s momentum.
Coaching and series outlook
Head Coach Gary Wilson expressed his anticipation for the series, noting that these will be Ireland’s first ODIs in 15 months. He acknowledged the strong competition for selection, stating that many players have performed well in the intervening period. Wilson emphasized the team’s faith in the selected squad and highlighted the long-standing rivalry between Ireland and Afghanistan, which he expects to continue in this series.
Wilson outlined the team’s desired playing style, focusing on being dynamic, adapting to conditions, and actively seeking opportunities to pressure the opposition. He stressed the importance of consistently looking for wickets with the ball and demonstrating a “never say die” attitude in the field, aiming to embody the spirit of successful Irish teams.
Former England batter Jonathan Trott will join the Irish camp as a consultant for the first two ODIs against Afghanistan. Trott has previous experience as the head coach of the Afghan national team. This series also marks Ireland’s first men’s bilateral ODI assignment since hosting the West Indies in May 2025.
The full squad for the first three ODIs includes:
- Paul Stirling (c)
- Mark Adair
- Andrew Balbirnie
- Ben Calitz
- Curtis Campher
- Cade Carmichael
- George Dockrell
- Gavin Hoey
- Andrew McBrine
- Liam McCarthy
- Byron McDonough
- Jai Moondra
- Harry Tector
- Lorcan Tucker
The series schedule is as follows:
- 5 August 2026: Ireland Men v Afghanistan Men – ODI (Bready; starts 10.45am)
- 7 August 2026: Ireland Men v Afghanistan Men – ODI (Bready; starts 10.45am)
- 10 August 2026: Ireland Men v Afghanistan Men – ODI (Stormont; starts 10.45am)
- 12 August 2026: Ireland Men v Afghanistan Men – ODI (Stormont; starts 10.45am)
- 15 August 2026: Ireland Men v Afghanistan Men – ODI (Stormont; starts 10.45am)
Tickets for the series are available through Cricket Ireland’s official website.
Source: cricketireland.ie
