Ireland have announced a 14-member squad for their one-off Test against New Zealand, with four uncapped players receiving their maiden call-ups ahead of the historic contest in Belfast. The four-day Test, beginning on May 27 at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Stormont, will mark Ireland’s 14th appearance in the longest format and their first-ever Test against the Black Caps.
Young opener Jake Egan and fast bowlers Tom Mayes, Reuben Wilson and Liam McCarthy headline the squad selection, signaling Ireland’s continued focus on building depth in red-ball cricket despite several injury setbacks in the camp.
Young talents rewarded after impressive domestic performances
Among the new faces, 22-year-old Jake Egan and 19-year-old pacer Reuben Wilson are yet to make their international debuts in any format. Both players recently featured in the Emerald Challenge, a domestic fixture involving some of Ireland’s top red-ball cricketers, where they caught the attention of selectors with composed performances.
Wilson’s inclusion is particularly notable given his age and limited first-class experience, while Egan’s steady rise in domestic cricket has now earned him an opportunity at the highest level.
Mayes and McCarthy, meanwhile, have already represented Ireland in white-ball cricket but are now set to enter the Test arena for the first time. The inclusion of three seamers underlines Ireland’s intention to field a strong pace attack in Belfast conditions that are expected to assist fast bowlers.
Injury setbacks force Ireland into changes
Ireland will head into the Test without several senior players due to injuries. Veteran batter Paul Stirling has been ruled out after suffering a Grade 2C strain during the Emerald Challenge. Stirling had earlier endured a difficult ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign after injuring his knee in Ireland’s clash against Australia.
The Irish side has also lost experienced pacer Barry McCarthy for the remainder of the year because of a left ACL injury. Spinner Gavin Hoey is unavailable due to a left side strain, while Josh Little continues recovery from a rib stress fracture. Jordan Neill has also missed selection after sustaining a right shoulder muscle tear.
In another important development, all-rounder Curtis Campher will feature purely as a batter in the Test as Cricket Ireland carefully manages his return to bowling duties.
Andrew Balbirnie to lead experienced core
Experienced batter Andrew Balbirnie will continue leading the side and is expected to anchor a relatively young squad alongside established names such as Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Mark Adair and Andrew McBrine.
Ireland’s last Test assignment came in Bangladesh in November 2025, where they suffered defeats in both matches of the two-Test series. The upcoming encounter against New Zealand presents another stern challenge, but also a valuable opportunity for Ireland’s emerging players to gain exposure against elite opposition.
With several youngsters earning their first opportunity and senior players missing out through injury, the Belfast Test could represent the beginning of a new chapter in Ireland’s red-ball journey.
Ireland squad for New Zealand Test: Andrew Balbirnie (captain), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Cade Carmichael, Stephen Doheny, Jake Egan, Matthew Humphreys, Tom Mayes, Andrew McBrine, Liam McCarthy, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Reuben Wilson, Craig Young
