Form alone should see Humphreys earn a recall, but discounting a high volume of wickets at representative level sends a dangerous message to fringe Irish players
Not even a word about Hoey thats not fair .. and I think Josh Little needs to play some red ball cricket if he needs to develop his skills, seems like his development has stunted after 2022 T20 World Cup.
I'm quite a big Hoey fan. I think he should be capped sooner rather than later. Delany having a good T20 World Cup doesn't help him, but perhaps he's a better red ball option. Some coaches in the system have Hoey as neck and neck with Humphreys. Based on selection for the final West Indies game, though, where Humphreys got a go and Hoey didn't, it looks like the former is closer for Zimbabwe.
The lack of first class games hurts Ireland, necessitates picking players on glimpses and hunched, but McBrine does not appear to be a threat, but his batting makes dropping him hard.
But Humphries has had a sustained period of success
Thought Balbirnie had his best test innings in the 2nd innings vs Afghanistan so would keep him opening, let the inters quad match decide if Moor or McCollum get the nod
Is there a likelihood of Little playing? Especially with the injury to Adair, but Young and McCarthy
With ireland hosting now 2 fc games and another now another fc game in the way of the emerald challenge and the test match , surely this is half way though what could be a proper fc completion, surely is now just excuses preventing CI from bringing back regular FC?
There's a lot in this. The short answer is cost. Hold onto this because at some point, be it on mailbag, potential pod or even Test coverage, it'll come up again
I think that Andy McBrine should keep his place because he is so useful as a number 7 batsman, underlined by his 37 and 86 not out in his most recent test innings. Matt Humphries has earned his promotion, and in effect replaces van Woerkom from the XI that played Afghanistan, keeping the balance of an off-spinner and someone to turn their stock ball away from the right-hander.
One other possible change from the Afghan test would see Paul Stirling open with Andy Balbirnie, with Morgan Topping getting his chance at number 5 or 6. Neither McCollum nor Moor have made enough runs to force their way in. It is early days yet, but I hope that after another year Chris de Freitas and possibly Jake Egan could challenge for a position as opening bat.
Obviously next week's "test trial" could change things (otherwise why have the match?), but unfortunately so could injuries. It is a serious loss If Mark Adair is not fit, and I suppose Graham Hume
is the obvious replacement, especially with Tom Mayes also carrying an injury.
I know there are problems, but I never expected to see the day that Ireland must be considered favourites in a test match. This brings its own pressure of expectations.
There probably is a strong case for McBrine being in Ireland's best 6/7 red ball batters atm. If they go two spinners, it'll be McCollum or Moor. One (or both) of those will be given one last chance I suspect in red ball. They don't have another Test until January, provided Zimbabwe don't cancel the red ball tour like they have done a few times now, so they may as well give them another chance
Not even a word about Hoey thats not fair .. and I think Josh Little needs to play some red ball cricket if he needs to develop his skills, seems like his development has stunted after 2022 T20 World Cup.
I'm quite a big Hoey fan. I think he should be capped sooner rather than later. Delany having a good T20 World Cup doesn't help him, but perhaps he's a better red ball option. Some coaches in the system have Hoey as neck and neck with Humphreys. Based on selection for the final West Indies game, though, where Humphreys got a go and Hoey didn't, it looks like the former is closer for Zimbabwe.
The lack of first class games hurts Ireland, necessitates picking players on glimpses and hunched, but McBrine does not appear to be a threat, but his batting makes dropping him hard.
But Humphries has had a sustained period of success
Thought Balbirnie had his best test innings in the 2nd innings vs Afghanistan so would keep him opening, let the inters quad match decide if Moor or McCollum get the nod
Is there a likelihood of Little playing? Especially with the injury to Adair, but Young and McCarthy
Balbirnie
Moor/McCollum
Campher
Tector
Stirling
Tucker
McBrine
Adair
McCarthy
Humphries
Young
This will probably be a mail bag question but.
With ireland hosting now 2 fc games and another now another fc game in the way of the emerald challenge and the test match , surely this is half way though what could be a proper fc completion, surely is now just excuses preventing CI from bringing back regular FC?
There's a lot in this. The short answer is cost. Hold onto this because at some point, be it on mailbag, potential pod or even Test coverage, it'll come up again
Holding.
I think that Andy McBrine should keep his place because he is so useful as a number 7 batsman, underlined by his 37 and 86 not out in his most recent test innings. Matt Humphries has earned his promotion, and in effect replaces van Woerkom from the XI that played Afghanistan, keeping the balance of an off-spinner and someone to turn their stock ball away from the right-hander.
One other possible change from the Afghan test would see Paul Stirling open with Andy Balbirnie, with Morgan Topping getting his chance at number 5 or 6. Neither McCollum nor Moor have made enough runs to force their way in. It is early days yet, but I hope that after another year Chris de Freitas and possibly Jake Egan could challenge for a position as opening bat.
Obviously next week's "test trial" could change things (otherwise why have the match?), but unfortunately so could injuries. It is a serious loss If Mark Adair is not fit, and I suppose Graham Hume
is the obvious replacement, especially with Tom Mayes also carrying an injury.
I know there are problems, but I never expected to see the day that Ireland must be considered favourites in a test match. This brings its own pressure of expectations.
There probably is a strong case for McBrine being in Ireland's best 6/7 red ball batters atm. If they go two spinners, it'll be McCollum or Moor. One (or both) of those will be given one last chance I suspect in red ball. They don't have another Test until January, provided Zimbabwe don't cancel the red ball tour like they have done a few times now, so they may as well give them another chance