Morgan Topping called into Ireland squad for Zimbabwe Tour
Tour is seen as part of the crucial bedding in period ahead of hosting three One Day games against England (September 17-21)
Waringstown CC's Morgan Topping has been called into the Ireland Test and ODI squads for the multi-format tour of Zimbabwe in January-February 2025.
Pembroke’s Gavin Hoey, after making his international debut in October, retains his place in the ODI squad and is in line for a Test debut – Topping and Hoey the only non-capped players in the Test squad.
Zimbabwe and Ireland have only faced each other once in Test cricket with Ireland winning by four wickets in July 2024. And the tour is seen as part of the crucial bedding in period ahead of the squad hosting three One Day games against England (September 17-21).
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The two sides have played 22 ODI (One Day International) games, Ireland winning 10, losing eight, drawing one with three games left no result; the sides have played 15 T20 games, Ireland winning eight, Zimbabwe seven.
"After a break since the series against South Africa in Abu Dhabi, it will be great to see us get back into action in a few weeks’ time," says National Men’s Selector Andrew White.
"Since 2007, there has been some wonderful contests against Zimbabwe and this should be no different -and it’s exciting to have all three formats on this tour."
Right-handed top-order batter Topping, 25, a prolific run-scorer at club level, has established himself in the top order of the Northern Knights in recent seasons.
“Morgan gains his first international call up at senior level having recovered from injury which prevented him making his debut against South Africa last year.
"He has demonstrated key attributes needed to perform at international level over recent Wolves and Academy fixtures and we wish him well.
“It’s going to be exciting to see our two young spinners and the likes of Ross Adair again in action alongside the experienced players and we do, of course, have the return of Josh Little who had a big impact the last time we were in Zimbabwe.
“We also have Gareth Delany and Barry McCarthy returning from injury, while Craig Young misses out in the T20 format on this occasion.
“It promises to be a very busy cycle ahead – from 2026 to 2028 we will see three white-ball World Cups, however, we have 2025 free from ICC events to build towards this key period.’
A training camp will be held at Desert Springs, Spain from 12-17 January, while the Test squad will travel to Dubai on 26 January for a four-day training camp.
IRELAND TEST SQUAD (one Test): Andrew Balbirnie (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning) (capt), Mark Adair (Lisburn / Northern Knights), Curtis Campher (Clontarf / Munster Reds), Gavin Hoey (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning), Graham Hume (Waringstown / North West Warriors), Matthew Humphreys (Lisburn / Northern Knights), Andrew McBrine (Donemana / North West Warriors), Barry McCarthy (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning), PJ Moor (Clontarf / Munster Reds), Paul Stirling (Northern Knights), Harry Tector (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning), Morgan Topping (Waringstown / Northern Knights), Lorcan Tucker (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning), Craig Young (North Down / North West Warriors)
ODI SQUAD (3 x games): Paul Stirling (capt), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell (Phoenix / Leinster Lightning), Gavin Hoey, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning), Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Morgan Topping, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young
T20I SQUAD (3 x games): Paul Stirling (capt), Mark Adair, Ross Adair (CIYMS / Northern Knights), Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany (Leinster / Munster Reds), George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock (Instonians / Northern Knights), Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White (Phoenix / Munster Reds)
6-10 Feb: Zimbabwe v Ireland – Test Match (Bulawayo; 10am)
14 Feb: Zimbabwe v Ireland – 1st ODI (Harare; 9.30am); 16 Feb: Zimbabwe v Ireland – 2nd ODI (Harare; 9.30am); 18 Feb: Zimbabwe v Ireland – 3rd ODI (Harare; 9.30am)
22 Feb: Zimbabwe v Ireland – 1st T20I (Harare; 1.30pm); 23 Feb: Zimbabwe v Ireland – 2nd T20I (Harare; 1.30pm); 25 Feb: Zimbabwe v Ireland – 3rd T20I (Harare; 6.30pm start; D/N)
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