Ireland's national cricket selector Andrew White discusses the inclusion of uncapped leg-spinner Gavin Hoey in the squad for the one-off Test against Zimbabwe. The selection aims to strengthen Ireland's spin options alongside veterans Andy McBrine and Matthew Humphreys.

Ireland versus Zimbabwe Test Series, 2024

One-Off Test

Ireland have selected uncapped leg-spinner Gavin Hoey for the Zimbabwe Test

Andrew Balbirnie will captain the Ireland team in their home Test against Zimbabwe. © Getty

Uncapped leg-spinner Gavin Hoey has been named in Ireland’s 14-member squad for the one-off Test against Zimbabwe, scheduled to start on 25th July in Belfast.

Hoey is the only new addition to a squad that otherwise includes the regular players from Ireland’s previous red-ball squads.

The 22-year-old’s selection follows strong domestic performances across formats.

Hoey’s wrist spin will provide a third slow bowling option in the squad, alongside veteran Andy McBrine and rookie Matthew Humphreys.

The Test match against Zimbabwe will be Ireland’s second home game in the longest format, following their debut Test against Pakistan in 2018.

National selector Andrew White expressed optimism about the inclusion of the two inexperienced spinners, Matthew Humphreys and Gavin Hoey.

While Humphreys has faced challenges in his early international cricket experiences, especially in the longer formats, Hoey has yet to represent Ireland at the highest level.

White supported the young players and backed them to succeed.

“Humphreys made his Test debut in Sri Lanka and found it difficult against skilled players of spin in the subcontinent,” said White while unveiling the Test squad.

“He’d admit himself that he went through a period of loss of form and maybe a loss of confidence, but he’s worked extremely hard to come back into consideration.

His performances for Ireland Wolves have been exactly what we were looking for, notably in the West Indies last year for Emerging Ireland, then in Nepal, and most recently in the series against West Indies Academy, where he took 10 wickets.

The consistency he has shown over this period has been really pleasing, and he very much deserves his call-up.

“Hoey is a talented leg-spinner, and his ability to spin the ball both ways provides us with a strong wicket-taking option.

He has been on our radar for a while and is capable of playing across all three formats.

This is an opportunity for him to join the Test squad and acclimate to the environment.”

Ireland squad: 

Player Name
Andrew Balbirnie (Captain)
Mark Adair
Curtis Campher
Gavin Hoey
Graham Hume
Matthew Humphreys
Andy McBrine
Barry McCarthy
James McCollum
PJ Moor
Paul Stirling
Harry Tector
Lorcan Tucker
Craig Young

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