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SYLHET, Bangladesh – Ireland Men’s Test squad has trained for the first time in Sylhet ahead of the start of the two-Test series starting Tuesday, and Lorcan Tucker is keen to see the Irish squad take it to the next level, despite being underdogs in the contest.

Tucker was touring Bangladesh with Ireland in April 2023 when he was picked for his Test debut. He scored 37 and 108 in the two innings (see scorecard). Regarding this latter milestone innings, he became only the sixth wicketkeeper in Test history to hit a century on debut.

Speaking from the team hotel in Sylhet, Tucker said:

Dhaka holds a great personal memory, naturally. I think it [scoring a Test century] wasn’t something that I ever thought would happen. I’m pretty proud of how we played that Test in such challenging conditions – especially with so many of us debuting in that Test.

Personally, with such little previous experience in Test cricket, I learned quite a lot in that first match in Dhaka. It’s important to try and pick things up quickly, to learn to read situations and understand what’s required for you in a given period of play. Looking back on that first innings especially, I think being dismissed on what had become a promising score, it showed the value of concentration and that it can all be over in a single moment.

Everyone’s in a pretty buoyant mood given three wins on the bounce in Test cricket. Travel and training have been good so far, it’s a place that’s familiar to us at this stage. In terms of the venues, we’re expecting the conditions to vary quite a bit between Sylhet [first Test venue] and Dhaka [second Test venue], so it will be up to us to assess those conditions and play accordingly.

How does he see his role as vice-captain?

Heinrich and Andy [Balbirnie] lead selection pre-game, but I’m happy to contribute, if required. In general, I see myself as having more of an in-game role to support Andy – to try and plan out phases of the game and build on any advantage we can find. Most of the discussion and planning comes from the slip cordon really, given from where they can see the game. With these decisions, we also recognise that there’s an element of trust between the coaching staff and the players as well, which is great.

How do you balance the physical demands of wicketkeeping and batting in Test cricket?

I think these conditions are as tough as it gets for a wicketkeeper – especially standing up to the stumps with lots of spin being bowled. I think it’s just trying to prioritise as much rest as possible, where you can. Time under the air-conditioner when you get into the sheds is good, because you know that once you’re required to bat, it’ll be back to full intensity and concentration.

Test matches are long affairs, lots of hours on your feet. I think the hardest thing is staying focused mentally – I suppose trying not to fall into a slump when you do get a chance to rest. There is a balance to be found there somewhere.

SQUADS

Ireland Men – Test Squad

• Andrew Balbirnie (captain) (Pembroke / North West Warriors)
• Curtis Campher (Clontarf / Munster Reds)
• Cade Carmichael (Instonians / Northern Knights)
• Stephen Doheny (Merrion / Munster Reds)
• Gavin Hoey (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Graham Hume (Waringstown / North West Warriors)
• Matthew Humphreys (Lisburn / Northern Knights)
• Andy McBrine (Donemana / North West Warriors)
• Barry McCarthy (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Liam McCarthy (Railway Union / Munster Reds)
• Paul Stirling (Northern Knights)
• Jordan Neill (CSNI / Northern Knights)
• Harry Tector (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Lorcan Tucker (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Craig Young (North Down / North West Warriors)

Ireland Men – T20I Squad

• Paul Stirling (captain) (Northern Knights)
• Mark Adair (Lisburn / Northern Knights)
• Ben Calitz (Lisburn / Northern Knights)
• Curtis Campher (Clontarf / Munster Reds)
• Gareth Delany (Leinster / Munster Reds)
• George Dockrell (Phoenix / Leinster Lightning)
• Matthew Humphreys (Lisburn / Northern Knights)
• Josh Little (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Barry McCarthy (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Jordan Neill (CSNI / Northern Knights)
• Harry Tector (Pembroke /Leinster Lightning)
• Tim Tector (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Lorcan Tucker (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Ben White (Phoenix / Munster Reds)
• Craig Young (North Down / North West Warriors)

FIXTURES

The tour fixtures are:

• 11-15 November: Bangladesh Men v Ireland Men – 1^st Test (Sylhet; 9.30am starts)
• 19-23 November: Bangladesh Men v Ireland Men – 2^nd Test (Dhaka; 9.30am starts)
• 27 November: Bangladesh Men v Ireland Men – 1^st T20I (Chattogram; 6pm start)
• 29 November: Bangladesh Men v Ireland Men – 2^nd T20I (Chattogram; 6pm start)
• 2 December: Bangladesh Men v Ireland Men – 3^rd T20I (Dhaka; 2pm start)

*  all times are local to the venue