Durham’s Barry McCarthy & Michael Jones have been called up for the crunch Cricket World Cup 2019 qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe in March.
McCarthy will spearhead Ireland’s attack throughout the tournament while Jones again hooks up with Scotland after impressing on his maiden tour to the UAE last month.
The ten-team, two group qualifier acts as the final hurdle ahead of next summer’s 50-over World Cup, with the final two spots at the tournament up for grabs.
Ireland will play in Group A alongside pre-tournament favourites West Indies, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea & the winners of the ICC World Cricket League Division Two.
They open up against Netherlands on Sunday, 4 March before facing Papua New Guinea & West Indies at Harare Sports Club, finishing the group against the WCLD2 winners on Monday, 12 March.
The top three progress to a Super Sixes for a further three matches, with the top two then facing off in the final on Sunday, 25 March.
It is expected to be a fiercely competitive tournament with Afghanistan, Scotland & Zimbabwe in Group B alongside the WCLD2 runner-up.
McCarthy starred in Ireland’s ODI series win over the former in December, while they defeated Scotland twice earlier this month, where Jones impressed with two half-centuries in his first two ODIs.
The Irish will first head to South Africa for a four-game warm-up against Northerns/Easterns, Netherlands, Scotland & Hong Kong before also playing two warm=-up fixtures on arrival in Zimbabwe.
Stuart Poynter was not considered for selection as he & his partner are expecting their first baby during the tournament.
Ireland also announced McCarthy & Poynter have been awarded a Category B contract alongside five other players who are currently contracted to English counties.