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DUBLIN – A 15-player squad has been named for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier campaign – this is the first international matches for Ireland Men since former captain Andrew Balbirnie stepped down and Paul Stirling was appointed interim captain.

The Ireland Men’s ICC T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier squad is:

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.

Stirling, 32, has led his country 13 times across formats (four ODIs, nine T20Is) in a caretaker capacity (he was also named as captain in a 14th match that ended as a ‘No result’). He takes over after Andrew Balbirnie stepped down from the white-ball captaincy recently. Stirling is rapidly closing in on Kevin O’Brien’s record as the most capped Irish cricketer and has been a virtual mainstay in the Ireland Men’s team since his debut in 2008.

Andrew White, National Men’s Selector, said:

While we are all disappointed that Ireland Men will not make an appearance at the 50-over World Cup this year, we must refocus quickly on the upcoming qualification campaign. I know the coaches and players don’t need any additional motivation, they will be fired up and looking to make amends.

I have no doubt Paul [Stirling] will step seamlessly into the captaincy role and as vice-captain he was already a senior player we engaged with regularly. His insights and experience have always been welcome and I look forward to working closer with him over coming months.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Andrew [Balbirnie] for his service as captain. I always enjoyed engaging with Bal around selection and succession planning and wish him well going forward.

The squad has a familiar shape to it, albeit we are pleased to welcome Neil Rock back into the senior squad. Pebbles [Neil Rock] has had an excellent domestic campaign and earned a recall off the back of a continued run of form with the bat, and continues to display an efficiency and quality with the gloves.

Ross Adair has likewise shown how dangerous a player he is at domestic level – he is an exciting talent, only new to the international stage, but his 65 against Zimbabwe back in January demonstrated the destructive ability he has in this format.