By CricketCountry Staff
Cricket Ireland on Monday announced a 13 man squad for their match against Namibia next week in the Intercontinental Cup. In the absence of William Porterfield and Trent Johnston, star all-rounder Kevin O'Brien will lead the team.
Published: Aug 30, 2011, 12:33 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 30, 2011, 12:33 PM (IST)
Kevin O’ Brien said he is honoured and excited about the challenge of leading the team © Getty Images
By CricketCountry Staff
Dublin: Aug 29, 2011
Cricket Ireland on Monday announced a 13 man squad for their match against Namibia next week in the Intercontinental Cup. The match to be held at Stormont on September 6 was originally to be played in July, but was delayed due to visa problems faced by Namibian players.
In the absence of William Porterfield and Trent Johnston, star all-rounder Kevin O’Brien will lead the team. O’ Brien, who scored a quick fire hundred against England in the ICC 2011 World Cup to guide them to a maiden victory over their neighbours, said he is honoured and excited about the challenge of leading the team.
He said, “I’m really excited to be captaining the side against Namibia, although it’s not the first time I’ve had the honour. I took charge against West Indies A in Belfast last year, and also when we played Kenya in Dubai just before the start of the World Cup, but this will be slightly different.”
This will be a great experience for me, and the four-day game gives skippers a chance to try different ideas and put their own stamp on the team. We have a few new faces in the squad for the game, with Stuart Poynter and Graeme McCarter both uncapped at senior level. This is an excellent chance for them, and the rest of the squad to make a mark ahead of the winter schedule, “he added.
Brien said that Ireland team is eager to win the Intercontinental Cup this year.
“I’ve played with some great Irish captains in William Porterfield, Trent Johnston, and Kyle McCallan. Hopefully some of their style has rubbed off on me, and we’ll get our campaign off to a winning start.
“We’ve won the cup three times in recent years, and are keen to take the title back from Afghanistan,” said O’ Brien.
Ireland squad:
Kevin O’Brien (c), Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, Phil Eaglestone, Nigel Jones, Graeme McCarter, John Mooney, Andrew Poynter, Stuart Poynter (wk), Paul Stirling, Albert van der Merwe, Andrew White, Gary Wilson.
