Congratulations to both Tim Murtagh and Paul Stirling, who have been named within Ireland Cricket's squad to take part in the World Cup qualifying stages in early March.
Both Middlesex players were named in an experienced squad of fifteen, which also includes former Middlesex top order batsman Ed Joyce.
Ireland will take on the West Indies, Netherlands and Papua New Guinea in group A of the competition, with their campaign kicking off with a fixture on Sunday 4th March against the Netherlands.
We wish Tim, Paul and Ireland Cricket every success in their qualifiers.
IRELAND WORLD CUP QUALIFIER SQUAD
William Porterfield (Formby/Warriors), Andrew Balbirnie (Pembroke/Lightning), Peter Chase (Malahide/Lightning), George Dockrell (Leinster/Lightning), Ed Joyce (Merrion/Lightning), Andrew McBrine (Donemana/Warriors), Barry McCarthy (Durham), Tim Murtagh (Middlesex), Kevin O’Brien (Railway Union/Lightning), Niall O’Brien (Nantwich/Warriors), Boyd Rankin (Warwickshire), James Shannon (Instonians/Knights), Simi Singh (YMCA/Lightning), Paul Stirling (Middlesex), Gary Wilson (Derbyshire).
ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP QUALIFYING GROUPS
Group A: West Indies, Ireland, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, ICC World Cricket League Division 2 winners.
Group B: Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Scotland, Hong Kong, ICC World Cricket League Division 2 runners-up.
WCQ FIXTURES
Sunday March 4, Ireland v Netherlands, OH
Tuesday March 6, Ireland v Papua New Guinea, HSC
Saturday March 8, Ireland v West Indies, HSC
Monday March 12, Ireland v WCL Division Two (winners)