Ireland have handed a first call-up to spinner Gavin Hoey for the Test match against Zimbabwe at Stormont next week.
The 22-year-old Leinster Lighting bowler is included in a 15-strong squad for the first Test to be played in Northern Ireland.
“Hoey is a talented leg spinner, and his ability to spin the ball both ways gives us a strong wicket-taking option,” said Irish men’s selector Andrew White.
“Again, he’s a player that’s been on the radar for a while and can play across all three formats. But this is an opportunity for him to come into the Test squad and get used to the environment.”
Matthew Humphreys returns to the squad and he is another spin option after making his Test debut against Sri Lanka last year.
Ireland beat Afghanistan in March to secure a first Test victory after making their five-day debut in 2018.
“On the back of our first victory we’re definitely looking to back that up with another win,” added White.
“We’re not looking to just pick a squad that will compete, we’re looking at a squad that can actually win the Test match – by taking 20 wickets and scoring the runs that we need to score arguably in the first innings to set up the victory.”
The first Test match between Ireland and Zimbabwe starts next Thursday at the Belfast venue.
Ireland squad: Andrew Balbirnie (c), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gavin Hoey, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, PJ Moor, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.
