Ireland’s cricket team is going to need all the good luck it can get as it heads into its one-day international series against the West Indies. Injuries to key players throughout the season have profoundly affected the team. Seamers Craig Young and Curtis Campher are both ruled out for the next two matches. This 3-match series will be played in Clontarf, with matches on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
Craig Young, 35, sustained a hamstring injury while playing for the North West Warriors against the Leinster Lightning last week. His absence will be huge, as it will be a big loss for the Irish bowling attack. Furthermore, Curtis Campher, 26, fractured a finger while batting in the nets on Monday. Ireland’s seam attack now takes an even bigger hit with recent injuries. It was in deep trouble already after the pre-overnight departures of Mark Adair, Graham Hume and Fionn Hand.
In counterpunch to these losses, the Irish went to their bench, summoning up two substitutes. Replacements Jordan Neill, 19, and Stephen Doheny, 26, will join the squad as cover and to add experience to a young squad during this key series. This is Ireland’s clear intention to bring in more quality players to give them a better bowling attack. They’re prepared to take on a talented West Indies squad.
Ireland can put that aside as they view this one-day series against the West Indies as a valuable chance. They’ll want to continue to impress and find some form heading into their upcoming limited-overs series against England later this month. England’s Harry Brook will lead his team in these limited-overs matches against Ireland, which will mark a notable point in the calendar for both nations.
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