Ireland Announces T20I Squad For Home Series Against England, Ben Calitz Receives Maiden International Call-up

As the sun sets over Dublin’s Malahide Cricket Club Ground this September, Irish cricket will step into a moment of history. For the first time ever, Ireland will host England for a T20 International (T20I) series on home soil — and this landmark occasion is about more than just cricketing prestige.

It’s about resilience, opportunity, and redemption.

With several seasoned bowlers sidelined due to injury, Ireland’s national selectors have unveiled a refreshed 14-member squad, blending experienced campaigners with emerging talents. Among the most exciting additions is 23-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Ben Calitz, a Canadian-born left-hander making his maiden international appearance — a symbol of how far Irish cricket has come in its pursuit of depth and global competitiveness.

Let’s dive into the full scope of Ireland’s preparations, strategic changes, and what this T20I series means in the bigger picture ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Ben Calitz: The New Name Behind the Stumps

From Vancouver to Dublin: A Story of Grit and Opportunity

Ben Calitz, born in Vancouver, Canada, may not be a household name yet — but his cricketing journey is already one of ambition and adaptability. Moving to Ireland in 2022, the young wicketkeeper immersed himself in domestic cricket, turning heads with his performances for both the Munster Reds and Northern Knights.

What sets Calitz apart? It’s not just the elegance of his left-handed stroke play or his clean glovework — it’s his consistency. Earlier this year, during the Ireland Wolves’ tour of the UAE, Calitz impressed with his batting depth and sharp reflexes behind the stumps, showcasing the maturity of a player much beyond his years.

With the 2026 T20 World Cup approaching, his call-up serves a dual purpose:

He offers a left-handed middle-order option — something Ireland has lacked.
He becomes a second wicketkeeping alternative to Lorcan Tucker — providing tactical flexibility in squad rotation.

A Selector’s Vote of Confidence

Speaking on Calitz’s inclusion, National Selector Andrew White remarked:

“Ben’s selection is a strategic decision. His left-handed presence and keeping capabilities add balance in key moments. This is a chance to see how he adapts to international pressure.”

Make no mistake — this isn’t just a trial. Calitz is now firmly in the mix for Ireland’s long-term T20 vision.

Missing in Action: Ireland’s Injury Setbacks

While the headlines celebrated new faces, Ireland’s camp also had to come to terms with the absence of three first-choice seamers:

Josh Little – Sidelined with a side strain.
Mark Adair – Recovering post knee surgery.
Fionn Hand – Out due to fitness concerns.

The trio’s absence could have spelled imbalance, but instead, the selectors saw it as an opportunity to experiment.

“These injuries, though unfortunate, open doors,” said White. “It’s about testing depth, seeing who rises to the challenge.”

Their replacements, like Jordan Neil, are part of a larger philosophy: test bench strength under pressure. With key ICC events looming, these series matter more than ever.

Back in the Fold: The Return of Proven Match-Winners

Campher, Delany, and Craig Young are Back

Three returning names add spine to Ireland’s squad:

Curtis Campher – The South African-born all-rounder was missed sorely. His ability to bat aggressively and swing the ball both ways offers Ireland a dynamic option.
Gareth Delany – Back from injury, Delany’s leg-spin and explosive batting at the top order are valuable.
Craig Young – The seamer, known for extracting bounce and zip, returns with a point to prove.

Their inclusion not only fills experience gaps but also restores balance to Ireland’s bowling and batting departments.

Ireland’s 14-Member T20I Squad for England Series

Player	Role
Paul Stirling (captain)	Opening batter, occasional off-spin
George Dockrell	All-rounder (left-arm spin)
Harry Tector	Top-order batter
Ross Adair	Aggressive batter
Graham Hume	Right-arm pacer
Lorcan Tucker	Wicketkeeper-batter
Ben Calitz	Wicketkeeper-batter (debutant)
Matthew Humphreys	Left-arm orthodox
Ben White	Leg-spinner
Curtis Campher	All-rounder
Barry McCarthy	Right-arm pacer
Craig Young	Right-arm pacer
Gareth Delany	Batting all-rounder
Jordan Neil	Right-arm pacer

Series Details: When and Where?

Fixture	Date	Venue
1st T20I	September 17	Malahide, Dublin
2nd T20I	September 19	Malahide, Dublin
3rd T20I	September 21	Malahide, Dublin

Significance: This is the first-ever T20I series between Ireland and England hosted in Ireland — a proud moment for Irish cricket and fans alike.

England’s Squad: Youth Takes the Helm

While Ireland are focusing on regrowth and backup strategy, England arrives with a young, vibrant squad led by 21-year-old Jacob Bethell. With several senior players rested ahead of the Ashes, England are looking to explore new combinations and test domestic talent under foreign conditions.

Despite missing marquee names, the depth of English county cricket means that their second-string side could still prove a formidable challenge.

Strategic Importance: More Than Just Another Series

The World Cup Looms

Every over bowled and run scored in this series will ripple into World Cup selection strategies. Ireland have always been considered dark horses in ICC tournaments — just a few steps away from top-tier breakthroughs.

With 2026 approaching, these matches are litmus tests for:

Ben Calitz’s ability to handle pressure.
Ireland’s seam depth without Adair and Little.
Campher and Delany’s match-fitness post return.
Captain Paul Stirling’s tactical flexibility and leadership under lights.

A Chance to Build a Narrative

Beating England — even a youthful England — would be a monumental confidence boost. It’s not about rankings. It’s about belief, exposure, and maturity. Ireland needs these high-pressure games to sharpen their instinctive cricketing edge.

Key Battles to Watch

Stirling vs Bethell: Captain vs Captain — experience vs youth.
Tector & Campher vs English seamers: Middle overs make or break.
Calitz vs Adrenaline: Debut nerves vs poise. Can the youngster deliver?
Dockrell vs Spin-Hitters: His role in powerplay and death overs could turn matches.

What They Said

Andrew White, National Selector:

“This squad reflects where we want to go. New faces, proven performers returning, and tactical balance — it’s a building block for the World Cup.”

Paul Stirling, Ireland Captain:

“Hosting England in T20Is at home is huge. We want to play aggressive, confident cricket. These games mean a lot to us.”

Ireland’s Moment to Shine

Ireland’s T20I journey has always been a tale of nearly-there moments, where talent outpaces recognition. But this September, with the home crowd behind them, a historic opponent before them, and fresh energy injected through debutants like Ben Calitz, the men in green have a chance to create a moment that echoes across cricket’s global corridors.

A young team with heart, belief, and an eye on the future — Ireland may just script another chapter in its rising cricketing story.