Adair, Wilson, Young named for Ireland's one-off historic England Test

Ireland will play a two-day warm-up match against Middlesex 2nd XI as practice. © Getty

William Porterfield will lead a 14-man Ireland squad on the one-Test tour of England later in July, Ireland Cricket announced on Monday (July 8). The one-off four-day game is scheduled for 24 -27 July at the iconic Lord's in London and will be preceded by a two-day warm-up match against Middlesex 2nd XI on July 18-19.

Pacers Mark Adair and Craig Young and wicketkeeper Gary Wilson have been called up for the one-off Test. Meanwhile, left-arm spinner George Dockrell, who was dropped from the squad for the just-concluded ODI series against Zimbabwe, has been left out again. Also missing out from the 15-man squad that toured India for Ireland's last Test assignment against Afghanistan is fellow left-arm spinner James Cameron-Dow, wicketkeeper-bat Stuart Poynter and seamer Barry McCarthy.

This will be Ireland's only third Test, and first at the historic venue in London. The game will also serve as practice for the hosts who are due to compete in Ashes, starting August 1. England had previously toured Ireland for a one-off ODI, just ahead of the ongoing World Cup in the UK, and won the game by four wickets.

"The historic nature of this Test match will not be lost on anyone, however, the players will not be overawed by the occasion," said Andre White, the chairman of men's selection panel. "I think we demonstrated the fight and talent we possess in the recent ODI against England at Malahide, and I expect the players will look to be just as competitive in the Test arena.

"We have stated all along that as Selectors we are looking for players not only in-form but displaying consistent performances, and I believe we have selected a squad that reflects this. It's also a squad that balances experience and emerging talent, which is necessary in looking to the future in this format of the game. This may only be our third Test, but we have 11 more to play over the next three years and our two Tests to date have shown glimpses of the potential we possess," White noted.

After being granted the full membership of the ICC in June 2017, Ireland made their Test debut against Pakistan in May 2018 and went down by five wickets in the game at Malahide. They played their first touring Test match against Afghanistan in India, losing this time by seven wickets to the 'hosts'.

"We often say that this is a team in transition, but recent performances at home give us great optimism that we are on the right path and will come to Lord's with confidence and belief," White concluded.