A year to the day since Ireland Wolves completed their tour of Nepal, they will return to action on Monday with a four-day game against Afghanistan A in Abu Dhabi.
It is the first of a five-game tour, which includes a Tri-series, also involving Sri Lanka A and they will be hoping for a sixth game on April 25 which is the date of the Tri-series final between the top two teams after the double round-robin.
Six of the playing XI that beat Nepal A on April 7 last year by 69 runs, making it a clean sweep of the three-match ODI series, are in the 15-man squad, namely captain Gavin Hoey, who took four wickets in that match, Stephen Doheny, who scored a century, Cade Carmichael, Matthew Foster, Fionn Hand and Morgan Topping.
The other five, including Ross Adair who is part of this year's panel, have established themselves as part of the senior squad and this year’s Wolves selection will be hoping to join them.
The 11 uncapped players travelling are Ben Calitz, Carmichael, Foster, Chris De Freitas, Scott Macbeth, Tom Mayes, Liam McCarthy, Jordan Neill, Cian Robertson, Morgan and Sam Topping.
Foster and Mayes are the most experienced, having been on tour with Ireland senior squads in the past, while Neill is the youngest, having just turned 19 last month.
Matthew Foster
Sam Topping is the other teenager in the squad - he celebrates his 20th birthday next month – but despite his age is one of the more experienced red-ball players in the squad because of his county experience at Sussex where he went to school for three years and enjoyed ‘high quality training’.
“I played quite a few four-day games for the 2nds and all the U18 stuff is three-days so yes, I like the longer format, it’s challenging but good,” he says.
His time at Sussex has come to an end but that is Waringstown’s gain and having played 14 times last season in their championship winning side, he is looking forward to helping the Villagers defend their title.
First up, though is the Wolves tour and Topping’s maiden chance to impress the selectors on the international stage.
“The tour is big for me,” he admits, “but it also a good learning curve coming up against international boys. So I want to do as well as I can to push on and get a spot in the senior side.
Sam Topping and Adam Dennison
With former Ireland wicket-keeper and batsman Gary Wilson travelling as head coach on the tour, Topping could not have a better role model, but with Doheny and Calitz also in the squad, there have been no conversations yet as to who will be first choice keeper.
“No, haven’t been told,” he says, “but whether it’s opening bat or wicket-keeper I like to think I can be first choice and always try to push on in that role.”
Like most members of the squad the tour will be the first outdoor action since last summer but while Topping has never been to the UAE before, he has experience of playing overseas.
“I have been to South Africa with Sussex and I was in Australia last year for three months. I was injured the season before so the coaches in Sussex sent me to the Gold Coast for a bit of cricket to get ready for last season.
“This year I’ve been training with the Knights and with Gary Wilson and the Irish boys up north.”
Topping accepts the players will have to hit the ground running in the one-day games if they are to get the extra match in the final.
“I have never played Afghanistan or Sri Lanka but I know they will be good sides. It will be a good challenge and experience, I can’t wait.
“For now I am happy with the way my career is going. But I always want more runs and catches.
This month would be the perfect time to do just that.
