Tom Latham & Barry McCarthy are preparing to return to international action ahead of their respective fixtures due to get underway this week.
Latham’s New Zealand side are gearing up to face West Indies in two-Test series at the Basin Reserve, Wellington starting on Friday.
The left-hander is expected to return to the top of the order after a successful spell in the middle order during the Blackcaps’ white ball tour of India.
After returning to play one Plunket Shield for domestic first-class side Canterbury, Latham captained New Zealand’s ‘A’ side against the West Indians over the weekend, scoring 24 & 28 not out in a draw.
The Durham man is aiming to improve upon a Test record which currently stands at 2,214 at an average of 38.84 & six hundreds.
McCarthy is part of the Ireland squad aiming for ICC Intercontinental Cup glory against Scotland in Dubai, though their chances look slim with Afghanistan leading the charge ahead of the final round of fixtures.
The ‘ICup’ is the premier first-class competition for Associate Members, meaning this is the last time Ireland will compete before turning their attentions to Test cricket next summer.
The final round begins with Ireland needing a victory & favours from elsewhere to close the 12-point gap between themselves & Afghanistan, who face United Arab Emirates.
If selected McCarthy could come up against ex-Durham men Kyle Coetzer & Calum MacLeod, who are both included in the Scotland squad.
Ireland follow up the ICup fixture with an ODI series against Afghanistan on 5, 7 & 10 December in Sharjah.