PJ Moor set to wear the Ireland jersey against Zimbabwe
The first Test match between Ireland and Zimbabwe will kick off on July 25 and conclude on July 29 at the Belfast venue in Ireland.
Ahead of the upcoming series, Zimbabwe has announced its 15-man squad for its national cricket team. In addition to these 15 players, the squad will also include four uncapped players.
The Zimbabwe squad features experienced players such as Sean Williams, Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani, and Richard Ngarava, as well as new players like Clive Madande, Brian Bennett, Joylord Gumbie, and Johnathan Campbell.
The team has already arrived in Ireland. Meanwhile, 22-year-old Leinster Lightning bowler Gavin Hoey is included in Ireland’s 15-strong squad for the first Test, to be played in Northern Ireland.
“Hoey is a talented leg-spinner, and his ability to spin the ball both ways gives us a strong wicket-taking option. He’s a player that’s been on the radar for a while and can play across all three formats. But this is an opportunity for him to come into the Test squad and get used to the environment,” said Irish men’s selector Andrew White.
Matthew Humphreys returns to the squad as another spin option after making his Test debut against Sri Lanka last year.
Ireland beat Afghanistan in March to secure their first Test victory since making their five-day debut in 2018.
“On the back of our first victory, we’re definitely looking to follow it up with another win. We’re not just picking a squad that will compete; we’re looking for a squad that can actually win the Test match by taking 20 wickets and scoring the runs we need, particularly in the first innings, to set up the victory,” added White.
Former Zimbabwe wicketkeeper-batsman PJ Moor is in line to face his country of birth for the first time after being named in Ireland’s squad for the upcoming one-off Test against Zimbabwe.
The Ireland squad includes: Andrew Balbirnie (c), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gavin Hoey, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, PJ Moor, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, and Craig Young.
The Zimbabwe squad includes: Craig Ervine (captain), Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Tendai Chatara, Tanaka Chivanga, Joylord Gumbie, Roy Kaia, Clive Madande, Wellington Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, and Sean Williams.
