Ireland Wolves Tour 2025: Squad Announcement & Fixtures

Ireland Wolves Announce Squad for 2025 UAE Tour

Ireland Wolves Gearing Up for Abu Dhabi Tour

Cricket Ireland has officially announced the squad for the upcoming Ireland Wolves tour to Abu Dhabi in April 2025. The Wolves will take on Afghanistan A in a four-day red-ball match, followed by a 50-over Tri-Series against Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A. This tour serves as a vital step in the Ireland Wolves programme, which plays a crucial role in preparing young and fringe players for senior international cricket.

The squad will be led by Gavin Hoey, a talented leg-spinner from Pembroke CC and Leinster Lightning, who made his senior international debut last year. Cricket Ireland has emphasized that this tour will provide emerging players with the opportunity to adapt to subcontinental conditions, enhancing their experience at the international level.

A Key Developmental Platform for Ireland’s Emerging Talent

The Ireland Wolves programme was first introduced in 2017, with the purpose of bridging the gap between domestic cricket and full international duties. It has since become a crucial part of Ireland’s cricketing structure, allowing young players to gain exposure to higher levels of competition. The upcoming UAE tour is seen as a stepping stone for several players who are on the verge of making their mark in international cricket.

Andrew White, National Men’s Selector, highlighted the importance of the Wolves programme in succession planning and developing Ireland’s future international stars. He stated:

“The Ireland Wolves programme has become an important part of our talent pathway – both as a succession planning tool and as a means of giving future internationals a taste of life as an international cricketer. It is these sorts of tours that we envisioned when the Wolves programme was set up.”

White also emphasized that playing in Abu Dhabi will expose the players to conditions they may face in future global tournaments.

Multi-Format Tour to Test Ireland’s Depth

The multi-format nature of the tour will be a true test for the Ireland Wolves squad. Their first challenge will be a four-day match against Afghanistan A, starting on April 7, 2025. This will be followed by a series of one-day encounters, with Ireland Wolves playing Afghanistan A and Sri Lanka A multiple times before a final on April 25.

“It’s always great to send a squad to the UAE, as we play a lot of cricket in this part of the world nowadays. This tour offers a great opportunity for the players to demonstrate their ability to adapt to unfamiliar conditions and deal with opponents that will offer skillsets that are equally unfamiliar.” – Andrew White

The selectors have opted for a balanced squad, with a mix of experienced and up-and-coming players. The squad collectively has 41 senior caps, but also features several players still making their way into the international scene.

Squad Leadership and Coaching Team

Head Coach Gary Wilson will oversee the team, ensuring the players maximize their learning experience throughout the tour. Gavin Hoey, known for his tactical acumen, has been entrusted with the captaincy. Hoey’s ability to lead from the front will be a significant factor in guiding a relatively young team.

“Gavin made his full international debut late last year and has demonstrated a good tactical cricket brain. I have no doubt he will relish this challenge.” – Andrew White

The squad also features promising talents such as Ross Adair, Stephen Doheny, Scott Macbeth, and Morgan Topping, all of whom have impressed in domestic cricket.

Ireland Wolves Squad for UAE Tour

• Gavin Hoey (c) (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)

• Ross Adair (Lisburn / Northern Knights)

• Ben Calitz (Muckamore / Northern Knights)

• Cade Carmichael (Instonians / Northern Knights)

• Chris Defreitas (Balbriggan / Leinster Lightning)

• Stephen Doheny (Merrion / North West Warriors)

• Matthew Foster (CSNI / Northern Knights)

• Fionn Hand (Clontarf / Leinster Lightning)

• Scott Macbeth (Bready / North West Warriors)

• Tom Mayes (Waringstown / Northern Knights)

• Liam McCarthy (Railway Union / Munster Reds)

• Jordan Neill (CSNI / Munster Reds)

• Cian Robertson (Instonians / Northern Knights)

• Morgan Topping (Waringstown / Northern Knights)

• Sam Topping (Waringstown / Northern Knights)

Ireland Wolves’ Fixtures for UAE Tour 2025

• 7-10 April: Afghanistan A vs Ireland Wolves (Four-day match, Abu Dhabi)

• 13 April: Sri Lanka A vs Ireland Wolves (One-day match, Abu Dhabi)

• 17 April: Afghanistan A vs Ireland Wolves (One-day match, Abu Dhabi)

• 19 April: Sri Lanka A vs Ireland Wolves (One-day match, Abu Dhabi)

• 21 April: Afghanistan A vs Ireland Wolves (One-day match, Abu Dhabi)

• 25 April: Tri-Series Final (One-day match, Abu Dhabi)

Ireland’s Future in International Cricket

With Cricket Ireland investing heavily in developing young talent, the Ireland Wolves tour presents an invaluable opportunity for players to showcase their skills and make a case for future senior team selection. The experiences gained in Abu Dhabi will serve as a stepping stone for those aspiring to represent Ireland at major tournaments, including the T20 World Cup and ODI World Cup.

The tour also aligns with Ireland’s broader goals of establishing themselves as a strong cricketing nation capable of competing at the highest levels. Players will need to adapt to the hot and dry conditions in Abu Dhabi while facing high-quality opposition in Afghanistan A and Sri Lanka A.