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Brandon Moyo, [email protected]

FORMER Zimbabwe international cricketer, Peter Joseph Moor will return to hunt on familiar ground after he was named in Ireland’s 15-member squad for the upcoming Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers.

Moor last played One Day International (ODI) cricket in 2019 for the Chevrons against his new team, Ireland and will be looking at helping his side secure a spot in the World Cup.

The 32-year-old wicket keeper has played 49 ODIs and his experience will come in handy.

The World Cup qualifiers will be played in Zimbabwe at four different venues across Harare and Bulawayo from 18 June. Moor made his Ireland debut last month in a once-off Test match against Bangladesh and is now in line to make his white ball debut for the European nation.

Alongside Moor, Ireland recalled Barry McCarthy, who last played an ODI in June 2021, and called up uncapped leg spinner Ben White.

Ireland’s National Men’s Selector, Andrew White said Moor’s experience in Zimbabwe will be crucial.

“We’re heading into a big few months and it’s looking at what personnel we need from a tactical point of view, who are in form, and a squad composition that suits the conditions we are likely to face.

In the latter stages of the tournament, for example, we are likely to be playing on used pitches, so that’s where we see the value of a Ben White coming to the fore.

“But before we look too far ahead, we have to start well and we’ve put together what we think is our best squad to meet that challenge.

With a seam attack of Adair, Little, Young, McCarthy, Hume and Campher we feel we’re heading towards our best attack once more, while PJ Moor’s experience in Zimbabwean conditions and his versatility batting anywhere from 1 to 7 gives us great cover,” said White.

He added that some tough decisions had to be made in selecting the team as some players like Stephen Doheny and Fionn Hand missed out on selection. White believes that Doheny has to put in the wok in domestic level.

“Unfortunately, hard decisions had to be made, and Stephen Doheny misses out on this trip. Stephen is a player we admire and want to continue to invest in, but we think the time is right for him, just now, to take a step back and work on a few technical aspects of his game at the domestic level.

“Qualifier events are tough, cut-throat competitions at times and a balance of talent, form and experience is essential.

We believe we have achieved that and I know that Irish supporters will be right behind the players and staff in their quest for World Cup qualification,” said White.

Ireland is in Group B in the Qualifiers, alongside Sri Lanka, Scotland, Oman, and UAE, and will begin their campaign against Scotland on June 21. Their group matches will be played in Bulawayo.
Ireland World Cup Qualifiers squad:

Andrew Balbirnie (capt), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Josh Little, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, PJ Moor, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.
– @brandon_malvin.