Zimbabwe tour confirmed

DUBLIN – Squads have been named for Ireland Men’s tour of Zimbabwe in January-February 2025, while Zimbabwe Cricket has released the tour schedule.

Waringstown CC and Northern Knights’ Morgan Topping, 25, has earned a debut call-up to the Test and ODI squads. The right-handed top-order batter, a prolific run-scorer at club level, has established himself in the top order of the Northern Knights in recent seasons.

Pembroke’s Gavin Hoey, after making his international debut in October, retains his place in the ODI squad and is in line for a Test debut – Topping and Hoey the only non-capped players in the Test squad.

Andrew White, National Men’s Selector, said:

‘After a break since the series against South Africa in Abu Dhabi, it will be great to see us get back into action in a few weeks’ time. Since 2007, there has been some wonderful contests against Zimbabwe and this should be no different -and it’s exciting to have all three formats on this tour.

“Morgan Topping gains his first international call up at senior level having recovered from injury which prevented him making his debut against South Africa last year. He has demonstrated key attributes needed to perform at international level over recent Wolves and Academy fixtures and we wish him well.

“It’s going to be exciting to see our two young spinners and the likes of Ross Adair again in action alongside the experienced players and we do, of course, have the return of Josh Little who had a big impact the last time we were in Zimbabwe.

“We also have Gareth Delany and Barry McCarthy returning from injury, while Craig Young misses out in the T20 format on this occasion.

“It promises to be a very busy cycle ahead – from 2026 to 2028 we will see three white-ball World Cups, however, we have 2025 free from ICC events to build towards this key period.’

Head-to-head

• Test: the two sides met for the first time in Test cricket in July 2024 with Ireland winning by four wickets
• ODIs: the two sides have played 22 times (Ireland won 10, Zimbabwe won 8, tied 1, no result 3)
• T20Is: the two sides have played 15 times (Ireland won 8, Zimbabwe won 7)

Squads

Test squad

• Andrew Balbirnie (c) (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Mark Adair (Lisburn / Northern Knights)
• Curtis Campher (Clontarf / Munster Reds)
• Gavin Hoey (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Graham Hume (Waringstown / North West Warriors)
• Matthew Humphreys (Lisburn / Northern Knights)
• Andrew McBrine (Donemana / North West Warriors)
• Barry McCarthy (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• PJ Moor (Clontarf / Munster Reds)
• Paul Stirling (Northern Knights)
• Harry Tector (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Morgan Topping (Waringstown / Northern Knights)
• Lorcan Tucker (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Craig Young (North Down / North West Warriors)

ODI squad

• Paul Stirling (c) (Northern Knights)
• Mark Adair (Lisburn / Northern Knights)
• Andrew Balbirnie (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Curtis Campher (Clontarf / Munster Reds)
• George Dockrell (Phoenix / Leinster Lightning)
• Gavin Hoey (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Graham Hume (Waringstown / North West Warriors)
• Matthew Humphreys (Lisburn / Northern Knights)
• Josh Little (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Andrew McBrine (Donemana / North West Warriors)
• Barry McCarthy (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Harry Tector (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Morgan Topping (Waringstown / Northern Knights)
• Lorcan Tucker (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Craig Young (North Down / North West Warriors)

T20I squad

• Paul Stirling (c) (Northern Knights)
• Mark Adair (Lisburn / Northern Knights)
• Ross Adair (CIYMS / Northern Knights)
• Curtis Campher (Clontarf / Munster Reds)
• Gareth Delany (Leinster / Munster Reds)
• George Dockrell (Phoenix / Leinster Lightning)
• Graham Hume (Waringstown / North West Warriors)
• Matthew Humphreys (Lisburn / Northern Knights)
• Josh Little (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Barry McCarthy (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Neil Rock (Instonians / Northern Knights)
• Harry Tector (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Lorcan Tucker (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Ben White (Phoenix / Munster Reds)

A training camp will be held at Desert Springs, Spain from 12-17 January, while the Test squad will travel to Dubai on 26 January for a four-day training camp.

Fixtures

• 6-10 February 2025: Zimbabwe Men v Ireland Men – Test Match (Bulawayo; 10am start)
• 14 February 2025: Zimbabwe Men v Ireland Men – 1^st ODI (Harare; 9.30am start)
• 16 February 2025: Zimbabwe Men v Ireland Men – 2^nd ODI (Harare; 9.30am start)
• 18 February 2025: Zimbabwe Men v Ireland Men – 3^rd ODI (Harare; 9.30am start)
• 22 February 2025: Zimbabwe Men v Ireland Men – 1^st T20I (Harare; 1.30pm start)
• 23 February 2025: Zimbabwe Men v Ireland Men – 2^nd T20I (Harare; 1.30pm start)
• 25 February 2025: Zimbabwe Men v Ireland Men – 3^rd T20I (Harare; 6.30pm start; D/N)