Ireland tour of USA 2021 News

In what is a historic series, USA started the new chapter of their cricketing journey with a win over Ireland.

The United States received a big jolt ahead of their historic series against Ireland as their leading players including vice-captain Aaron Jones, Jaskaran Malhotra and Karima Gore were ruled out of the two-match T20I series starting December 22 in Lauderhill, Florida. While Steven Taylor has yet not been ruled out of the T20I series, but him having tested positive alongside the above mentioned three does not augur well for the US team. There is yet another problem as fast bowler Rusty Theron whom the team was counting on has also not recovered from his elbow injury that he picked up during the US Open T20, the domestic tournament held in Florida just recently. To cover for these rule outs, three USA U-19 players in left-arm spinner Ali Sheikh, legspinner Yasir Mohammad and right-hand batter Ritwik Behera have been called into the squad after passing Covid testing in their respective home cities to clear their availability. The three players who tested positive for Covid have yet not been ruled out for the three-match ODI series and it is being hoped that they would play a crucial part for the USA in the ODI series. Even Ireland had four Covid cases among its players to the start of the series as Harry Tector, Gareth Delany, Barry McCarthy and George Dockrell had tested positive for the virus. However, McCarthy completed his 10-day isolation period and took part in Ireland's training on Monday. USA T20I squad: Monank Patel (capt), Ali Khan, Ali Sheikh, Gajanand Singh, Jessy Singh, Marty Kain, Nisarg Patel, Ritwik Behera, Ryan Scott, Saurabh Netravalkar, Steven Taylor, Sushant Modani, Vatsal Vaghela, Xavier Marshall, Yasir Mohammad. USA ODI squad: Monank Patel (capt), Aaron Jones (vice-capt), Ali Khan, Gajanand Singh, Jessy Singh, Jaskaran Malhotra, Marty Kain, Nisarg Patel, Nosthush Kenjige, Rahul Jariwala, Ritwik Behera, Saurabh Netravalkar, Steven Taylor, Sushant Modani, Vatsal Vaghela, Xavier Marshall.

The United States will be hosting its first bilateral series against a Test-playing nation when it takes on Ireland in the first T20I on December 22 at the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill. It is not the first time that a team from the United States is taking in a Test-playing nation as the USA played against Australia and New Zealand in the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy. However, the excitement level of its newly appointed skipper Monank Patel is very high for the upcoming series. Speaking to BBC, Patel said, “It’s definitely the biggest home series we have ever had. It’s a great opportunity for us to play against a Test nation. It’s actually a huge moment for us considering that the series is going to be broadcast all around the world.” With the biggest series taking place at home, it also opens up opportunities for a deeper look into US’ domestic cricketing structure. Speaking on that Patel, who has so far played 39 List A matches, 19 of which are ODIs, said that things are changing for the better at home. “We just had our national championship held back in November, so the domestic structure is getting better here. Now a lot of young players have a chance and stage to showcase their talents,” said the 28-year-old India born.

In an historic tour, Ireland will be competing against the USA as the latter is set to host them for two T20Is, followed by a three-match ODI series.

What has come as a shocking revelation but apparently there would be no third umpire for the first-ever bilateral series between the USA and a Test-playing nation in the USA. The Ireland Men’s team visit to the States will mark a historic moment in USA cricket. Reporting this development about the non-availability of the third umpire, journalist Peter Della Penna said that the decision was taken as there was no availability of technological assistance. It is ironic in the sense that the USA being the centre of technology is unable to provide technical assistance to its national cricket team. People on the internet were worried whether it is even possible in today’s to play an international game involving a Test-playing nation without a third umpire. It was clarified by Della Penna that the third umpire is only mandatory for Super League games in ODIs and not for all games. The first match of the two-match T20 series begins on Wednesday, December 22nd at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida.

Irish fast bowler Joshua Little who is currently plying his trade in the Lanka Premier League 2021, has been called up to bolster the squad that has left for the combined tour of the United States and West Indies which will begin December 22. According to a Cricket Ireland media release, four players i.e. Barry McCarthy, George Dockrell, Harry Tector and Gareth Delany have tested positive in the pres series testing and fast bowler Craig Young was identified as a close contact of Covid-19 positive persons and has therefore not been allowed to travel with the team. While McCarthy and Dockrell tested positive during pre-series testing, Tector and Delany, who have been in Florida playing the US T20 Open tournament-tested positive before linking up with the side which landed in Miami a few days ago. The pair have begun their 10-day in-room isolation already. McCarthy and Dockrell are also expected to link up with their teammates in the USA soon. Along with players, Assistant coach Gary Wilson has also not been able to travel with the team after he received a false positive report on his pre-series Covid test. The former Irish international is being re-tested, and if clear, will fly out on Sunday. "We are pleased to have our squad arrive in Miami and are all looking forward to the series ahead,” Richard Holdsworth, high-performance director for Cricket Ireland, said. "We have experienced a few last-minute complications related to COVID, but with the extended travelling squad that we have taken, and the recall of Josh Little from Sri Lanka, we don't foresee any issues with the series proceeding as scheduled,” he further added. After playing three ODIs and two T20Is in the US, the Irish team will travel to the Caribbean and play West Indies in three ODIs, between January 8 and 14, and a one-off T20I scheduled for January 17.