Ireland name four uncapped players for historic test vs New Zealand

Ireland have named four uncapped players in a 14‑man squad for their first‑ever Test against New Zealand, starting May 27 in Belfast. Opener Jake Egan and young quicks Tom Mayes, Reuben Wilson and Liam McCarthy have earned call‑ups for the four‑day match, Ireland’s 14th in the format. While Mayes and McCarthy have already featured in limited‑overs internationals, Egan and Wilson made their first‑class debuts only this week during the Emerald Challenge. Andrew Balbirnie will captain the side, but Ireland will be without veteran Paul Stirling, who is recovering from a Grade 2C strain suffered in the same fixture.

Coach Heinrich Malan noted lingering calf and knee issues for Stirling, while confirming that pacer Barry McCarthy is out for the year with an ACL injury. Gavin Hoey, Josh Little and Jordan Neill were also unavailable. Curtis Campher will play solely as a batter as he manages his bowling workload. The Test will be held at Stormont.