Ireland include uncapped spinner Graham Kennedy in T20 World Cup party

The 22-year-old was picked for Ireland’s recent ODI series against Zimbabwe but is yet to make his international debut

Ireland have included uncapped left-arm spinner Graham Kennedy in their squad for the T20 World Cup.

The 22-year-old was picked for Ireland’s recent ODI series against Zimbabwe but is yet to make his international debut.

Andy Balbirnie captains the squad, which sees a recall for Gareth Delany, the big-hitting batsman who is also a handy leg-spinner. He has not represented Ireland since March 2020 but spent the latter half of last season playing in the T20 Blast for Leicestershire.

Off-spinner Andy McBrine is included as cover for Simi Singh, though William McClintock has been left out despite making his T20I bow against Zimbabwe last week.

Lorcan Tucker and Neil Ford have both been selected as wicketkeeping options, while the seam-bowling stocks include Josh Little, Shane Getkate, Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Barry McCarthy and Craig Young.

There is plenty of firepower too, in the shape of Paul Stirling and Kevin O’Brien.

Of the 18 players named, three will become reserves when the final squad is named before the October 10 deadline.

Ireland squad: Andrew Balbirnie (c), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Shane Getkate, Graham Kennedy, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Kevin O’Brien, Neil Rock, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young