Holywood's Mark Adair called into Ireland cricket squad

Fast bowler Mark Adair's maiden wicket in first class cricket for Warwickshire was former England captain Marcus Trescothick

Uncapped fast bowler Mark Adair has been called into the Ireland cricket squad for the one-day international series against Afghanistan next month.

Holywood's Adair and batsman Sean Terry are the new faces in the 14-man squad for the five-match series in Belfast.

Boyd Rankin, Max Sorensen and George Dockrell are omitted from the squad that lost to Sri Lanka last week.

Warwickshire's Rankin is unavailable while Peter Chase and Tyrone Kane earn recalls.

Exciting prospect

Adair, 20, is one of the hottest talents emerging in Irish cricket and is playing first class cricket with Warwickshire.

"Mark Adair has impressed me with his skills in the limited opportunities I have seen him, and the series is ideal to get him involved with our international programme," said Ireland coach John Bracewell.

Bracewell explained that Rankin was club-tied before the Afghanistan series was confirmed.

"When we resigned Boyd back into the Ireland squad at the end of last year, the likely series dates fell at a crucial time for Warwickshire, but he will be for all other major commitments in one of our busiest-ever years.

"On balance, we felt a partially-available Boyd was better than not at all.

"He'll be 32 next week and there is a lot of cricket coming up between now and the end of the summer.

"Both parties will continue to carefully monitor and manage his workload in his best interests and longevity in the game."

The first match at Stormont takes place on Sunday 10 July, with the other games on 12, 14, 17 and 19 July.

Ireland squad (v Afghanistan): William Porterfield (capt) (Warwickshire), Mark Adair (Warwickshire), John Anderson (Leinster Lightning/Merrion), Peter Chase (Leinster Lightning/Malahide), Ed Joyce (Sussex), Tyrone Kane (Leinster Lightning/Merrion), Tim Murtagh (Middlesex), Andy McBrine (NW Warriors/Donemana), Barry McCarthy (Durham), Kevin O'Brien (Leinster Lightning/Railway Union), Stuart Poynter (Durham), Paul Stirling (Middlesex), Sean Terry (Leinster Lightning/YMCA), Gary Wilson (Surrey).