Zimbabwe v Ireland: Topping handed first Irish call-up for seven-match tour

Northern Knights batter Morgan Topping has earned a first call-up to Ireland’s Test and ODI squads for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe.

The 25-year-old Waringstown player is a prolific run-scorer at club level and has established himself in the top order for the Knights in recent seasons.

Pembroke’s Gavin Hoey, after making his international debut in October, retains his place in the ODI squad and is in line for a Test debut.

Ireland are also boosted by the return of paceman Josh Little in the white-ball squads.

Gareth Delany and Barry McCarthy are back after injury while Craig Young misses out on the T20 squad.

The Irish will take on Zimbawe in a Test match in Bulawayo from 6-10 February before three ODIs and three T20 encounters between the sides in Harare.

“Morgan Topping has demonstrated key attributes needed to perform at international level over recent Wolves and Academy fixtures and we wish him well,” said national men’s selector Andrew White.

“It’s going to be exciting to see our two young spinners and the likes of Ross Adair again in action alongside the experienced players and we do, of course, have the return of Josh Little who had a big impact the last time we were in Zimbabwe.”

Test squad: Andrew Balbirnie (capt), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gavin Hoey, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, PJ Moor, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Morgan Topping, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.

ODI squad: Paul Stirling (capt), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gavin Hoey, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Morgan Topping, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.

T20 squad: Paul Stirling (capt), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White.

Tour schedule – Zimbabwe v Ireland

6-10 February: Test Match (Bulawayo)

14 February: 1st ODI (Harare)

16 February: 2nd ODI (Harare)

18 February: 3rd ODI (Harare)

22 February: 1st T20I (Harare)

23 February: 2nd T20I (Harare)

25 February: 3rd T20I (Harare)