Aberdeen, August 15: Ireland will be boosted by the presence of captain William Porterfield in the one-day and four-day squads to play Scotland over next week in Aberdeen.
Gloucestershire have excused Porterfield from playing the County Championship match against Leicestershire, leaving him free to play Ireland.
Ireland and Scotland first play an Intercontinental Cup match starting on August 17, followed by two ODIs on August 22 and August 23. Phil Simmons, the Ireland coach, said the game against Scotland would help Porterfield fine-tune his batting.
“William is obviously disappointed at not being involved in the Gloucester four-day team at present, but this game gives him a great opportunity to fine-tune his game and make a big score,” Simmons said. “I have a feeling that Scotland may well experience a bit of a backlash from him. His inclusion further bolsters a strong Ireland batting line-up, which may very well be needed on the traditionally seamer-friendly Aberdeen track.”
Last month Ireland, led by Porterfield, won their three ODIs against Kenya. He missed their drawn opening Intercontinental Cup game against the same side.
Ireland also named a 12-man A squad, led by John Mooney, for a match against the MCC at Lord’s on August 19.
Ireland ODI squad: William Porterfield (capt), Andre Botha, Andrew Britton. Alex Cusack, Peter Connell, Shane Getkate, Trent Johnston, Kyle McCallan, John Mooney, Kevin O’Brien, Paul Stirling, Regan West, Gary Wilson (wk), Andrew White.
Ireland A squad: John Mooney (capt), Andrew Balbirnie, Peter Connell, George Dockrell, Chris Dougherty, Phil Eaglestone, James Hall, Nigel Jones, Gary Kidd, Fintan McAllister (wk), Eddie Richardson, Reinhardt Strydom.
——Agencies