Ireland have handed a first senior call-up to batter and wicketkeeper Ben Calitz for the upcoming three-match T20 series against England in Malahide later this month.
The 23-year-old, who has yet to be capped at international level, has been included in a 14-man squad for what will be a historic meeting. It is the first time Ireland and England will face each other in the T20 format on Irish soil.
The two nations have only crossed paths twice before in T20 internationals. Their first contest, back in 2010, was abandoned without result, while Ireland claimed a memorable five-run victory over England by the Duckworth Lewis [DLS] method at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Melbourne.
Ireland’s preparations are not without setbacks, with Mark Adair, Fionn Hand and Josh Little unavailable as they continue rehabilitation from injuries. However, there is some good news as Gareth Delany, Curtis Campher and Craig Young have come through the recent Emerald Challenge series unscathed and are fit to take part.
Calitz, who was born in Canada, previously represented his country of birth at under-19 level before relocating to Ireland in 2022. Initially turning out in domestic club cricket, he went on to feature for Munster Reds in the Inter-Provincial series and later represented Northern Knights in 2025. His progress was further recognised earlier this year when he was chosen for the Ireland Wolves’ tour of the United Arab Emirates.
England, by contrast, have opted to rest many of their senior multi-format cricketers, mindful of this winter’s Ashes campaign. Instead, they have selected a relatively youthful squad. Jacob Bethell, at just 21, is set to become the youngest player ever to captain England in an international fixture. Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox has been rewarded with a place after shining in The Hundred.
The T20 series will run across three matchdays: Wednesday 17 September, Friday 19 September and Sunday 21 September, with all games scheduled to begin at 13:30 BST.
Ireland squad: Paul Stirling, Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Barry McCarthy, Jordan Neil, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.
