Twenty-year-old uncapped medium-pacer David Delany has been included in Ireland's squad for the limited-overs series at home against Afghanistan next month. Delany and fast bowler Boyd Rankin, who had missed games for Warwickshire this season because of injury, are among 12 players who have found places in both the ODI and T20I squads.
Delany picked up 2 for 15 in Ireland A's T20 series-levelling win against Bangladesh in Dublin on Thursday, but had managed only one wicket in 25 overs while conceding nearly seven runs an over in the ODI series. Denaly replaced Barry McCarthy, who had been part of the ODI squad in the World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe earlier this year. Ed Joyce, who had also been part of the roster in Zimbabwe, has now retired from international cricket.
The side isn't short of experience, though, with William Porterfield, Andy Balbirnie, the O'Brien brothers and Boyd Rankin having 448 ODI camps among them.
"This is a strong and experienced squad that has been chosen to match the opposition and give us the best chance of success in this immediate series," Andrew White, the chairman of selectors, said. ""A number of players, like Andrew Balbirnie and Andy McBrine, have stood out with outstanding performances during this recent Ireland Wolves series and we hope they can bring their form into the Afghan series."
Eighteen-year-old left-arm seamer Joshua Little, who was part of the Ireland team in the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand this year, and Delany lend more variety to the T20 side.
"The T20I squad is one with an experienced spine surrounded by young, exciting and talented players who want to show they belong in the international arena," White said. "We're very keen to see what younger players like David Delany and Josh Little can bring to the set-up. Josh, for instance, brings us some much-needed variation with his left-arm pace and ability to bat powerfully down the order, and as we know variation is key to success in the T20 format."
Afghanistan's tour of Ireland begins with the first of the three T20Is at Bready Cricket Club, and will be followed by three ODIs in Belfast.
Ireland ODI squad: William Porterfield (capt), Andy Balbirnie, Peter Chase, David Delany, George Dockrell, Andy McBrine, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O'Brien, Niall O'Brien, Boyd Rankin, James Shannon, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Gary Wilson
Ireland T20I squad: Gary Wilson (capt), Andy Balbirnie, Peter Chase, David Delany, George Dockrell, Josh Little, Andy McBrine, Kevin O'Brien, William Porterfield, Boyd Rankin, James Shannon, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson