Adair named in Ireland's T20 World Cup squad

Ross Adair first earned a call-up to the Ireland squad at the end of 2022

Former Ulster wing Ross Adair has been included in the Ireland cricket squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the USA and Caribbean.

The 30-year-old Northern Knights all-rounder received his first call-up to the Ireland squad in December 2022.

Adair scored a try in his only senior appearance for Ulster in 2015.

He is the brother of Irish paceman Mark Adair, who is also included in Heinrich Malan's 14-man squad.

Ireland will play a three-match series against Pakistan in Dublin on 10-14 May.

They will then take part in the Tri-Series with Netherlands and Scotland in Voorburg on 19-24 May before the T20 World Cup starts next month.

Ireland, who are ranked 11th in the world in T20Is, face Pakistan, India, Canada and the USA in Group A of the tournament.

Josh Little, who is playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL), will be added to the squad for the T20 World Cup games.

'Challenging couple of weeks ahead'

Ireland head coach Malan is pleased with the squad he has named but has warned that preparations for the World Cup will really intensify now with the tournament fast approaching.

"The squad is one that we have gradually developed and tested out over the last 18 or so months," he said.

"The skill sets we need to cover are there, albeit we have allowed Josh [Little] to continue in the IPL until his side end their campaign, so he will likely join us ahead of the tournament."

Malan continued: "We have an intensive block of T20 cricket coming up this month – we have seven games in 15 days as preparation.

"We will not be treating those seven games as warmups; we’ll be aiming to win as many of those games as possible.

“We are now entering the final stretch before the T20 World Cup begins, it will be a challenging couple of weeks, but we’re ready to tackle whatever is thrown at us.”

Ireland T20 World Cup squad

Paul Stirling (capt), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.

Ireland squad for Pakistan T20 series

Paul Stirling (capt), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.

Ireland squad for Tri-Series in Netherlands

Paul Stirling (capt), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.