News

MAGHERAMASON, Northern Ireland – Ireland Men’s T20I opener Ross Adair has recovered from injury and is keen to get back playing in Irish colours after an eight-month absence from international cricket.

Adair, 31, has 10 international caps to date, with his last appearance being his 58-ball century against South Africa in Abu Dhabi last year.

Injury kept him out if the subsequent tour to Zimbabwe, but a busy off-season and a tour with the Ireland Wolves in April has whetted Adair’s appetite for a senior squad return.

Speaking from the team hotel, Adair said:

“Yeah, it’s been a while now since the South Africa series and I’m very much looking forward to playing again. Preparations have been good, with lots of drills and playing as much club cricket as I can – but nothing beats getting out there and playing for Ireland – every time I pull on the shirt it gives me immense pride.

“Scoring that hundred against South Africa has given me real confidence and self-belief that I’m capable of doing it at this level, where I maybe lacked in that area of my mental game before. It’s important that I don’t change how I go about my business and believe 100% in the way I play.

“The West Indies are a different challenge – ⁠they’ve always been an incredible team to watch especially in T20 cricket – but no matter who we are playing, our general approach and mindset doesn’t change. Of course, we look closely at our opponents, but just as important is that we concentrate on our own game plans.

Is he still pleased that he made the change from rugby to cricket?

“I loved my rugby and I don’t think I’d be playing cricket for Ireland without it, so I’ll never regret it. But I almost feel like the injuries and the severity of them [Adair underwent hip surgeries, knee surgery and ankle surgery] was life’s way of telling me I was on the wrong path. The lads are great, I enjoy being around a squad all scrapping for the same goal, which is something I missed when I was working 9-5. It’s still great to be back into a pro sport environment after having four years out of it after rugby.”

Known for his fast scoring and power hitting today, has he always played like that?

“⁠Yea, I’d say so. Even at Holywood, as a youngster I’d always wanted to strike at over 100. Even when I was 13 playing Section One cricket.

“I actually try not to think too much about my batting. A clear mind where I don’t have to think, I believe, makes me a bit more dangerous. Sometimes I feel like the harder I try, the worse it gets, so I try and do the hard work away from games and series so I’m not worrying about too much in competition.”

And there’s a T20 World Cup coming up?

“⁠Yea. I went to the last one and carried drinks the whole time. You want to play, but if I’m carrying drinks I’d always give 110%. You never know, you may be required to sub field and impact the game that way, so it’s important to help the lads and prep as if you’re playing.”

Tickets are selling quickly for the three matches – fans can buy them here.

FIXTURES

Ireland Men v West Indies Men T20I series

• 12 June: Ireland Men v West Indies Men (1^st T20I; Bready; start 3pm)
• 14 June: Ireland Men v West Indies Men (2^nd T20I; Bready; start 3pm)
• 15 June: Ireland Men v West Indies Men (3^rd T20I; Bready; start 3pm)

[Times local to the venue]

Livescoring will be available from: https://cricketireland.ie/matches/

WATCH

The broadcast arrangements for Ireland / UK are:

• TNT Sports:
  • Game 1 on TNTS1
  • Game 2 on TNTS2
  • Game 3 on TNTS1

Broadcast for the rest of the world:

·        Caribbean: Rush

·        Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport

·        India: Fancode

·        Pakistan: Tapmad

SQUADS – Ireland Men

• Paul Stirling (c) (Northern Knights)
• Mark Adair (Lisburn / Northern Knights)
• Ross Adair (Lisburn / Northern Knights)
• Gavin Hoey (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• George Dockrell (Phoenix / Leinster Lightning)
• Stephen Doheny (Merrion / Munster Reds)
• Matthew Humphreys (Lisburn / Northern Knights)
• Josh Little (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Barry McCarthy (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Liam McCarthy (Railway Union / Munster Reds)
• Harry Tector (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Tim Tector (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Lorcan Tucker (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)
• Ben White (Phoenix / Munster Reds)

SPONSOR

Having founded in 2019, Fáilte Solar is already the leading distributor of photovoltaic equipment in Ireland, with the company’s achievements generating recognition for its founder Abhilash Borana, who was a 2023 EY International Entrepreneur Awards Finalist and Forbes “30 Under 30 Europe” inductee in the 2022 Manufacturing and Industry category. With more than 70 employees across Europe and a further 200 in India,  Fáilte Solar serves internationally with subsidiaries in several countries in central Europe, Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, and India. Fáilte Solar was founded with €50,000 of seed money raised from Borana’s family in 2019, and will exceed €60 million turnover in 2024.