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Ireland defend resting pitcher Josh Little for UK Test – ‘A special occasion, not a top event’ | Cricket News

Ireland has defended the absence of key swimmer Josh Little against England next week, with World Cup qualifiers in June and July taking precedence.

Little, who recently played in the IPL for the Gujarat Titans before featuring in the white ball series against Bangladesh, has requested a break from his busy limited schedule.

Ireland will face teams including the West Indies, Sri Lanka and Scotland in a 10-team World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe later this summer with the top two nations making it to the competition right here in India in October and November. .

Richard Holdsworth, senior performance director for Cricket Ireland said: “What we have to understand is that while we are incredibly proud to play against England at Lord’s… it is a special occasion, but it was not a climactic event.

Thursday, June 1 10:00 am


“Going to the World Cup Qualifiers where only 10 teams can qualify for the World Cup, that’s still the biggest priority in the game for us. We’ve made it very clear from the very beginning of the last strategy. his end that our climax events will be white ball cricket.

“Josh has been at his best for five months, which in itself is exhausting physically and mentally. Initially, he asked us if he could take a break before the World Qualifiers. Cup no.

“Our management team and selectors discussed this matter in detail and amicably agreed that it was in the best interest of Josh and the team.

“A member with the funding we have simply can’t commit to playing the game’s three formats, that’s financially impossible.”

Gujarat giants Josh Little celebrates the sacking of Rajasthan Royals' Sanju Samson during the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket match between Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans in Jaipur, India, Friday, May 5, 2023 (AP Photo / Surjeet Yadav)
Image:
Little enjoyment of his first Indian Premier League after representing the Gujarat Titans

Holdsworth added that Ireland does not feel Little will be ready for the rigors of the bowling test match having mainly played T20 cricket in recent months.

He added: “Four-round bowling is not good enough to prepare any cricketer for Test cricket, where he can bowl more than 20 rounds a day for two innings.

“We don’t feel physically he would really be ready for that without preparation.”

Regarding the abundance of domestic tournaments currently available to players like Little, Holdsworth said: “This is a whole new world for us and the players, it will certainly challenge everyone. .

“All of our players who have played franchise cricket have learned a lot about how we balance that and be the best we can be for Ireland, but it’s been a challenge.”

Watch Ireland’s four-day match against England, at Lord’s, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10am on Thursday 1 June.



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