Ireland’s 14-man squad for their first Test, against Pakistan starting on Friday, might be light on experience in the format. But many of them have had long and impressive international careers. Here are three players who could be up to speed straight away.
Niall O’Brien full of belief as Ireland make long-awaited Test debut against Pakitsan
Ed Joyce
The left-handed batsman turns 40 later this year, so it might be fair to assume his Test career is starting when he is past his physical peak.
A knee injury hampered his form at the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe in March, but a fine one-day international century against UAE in Dubai in January suggested he has plenty of runs left in him.
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Boyd Rankin
The one player in the Irish ranks with Test experience to call on – although he might not want to revisit it.
The towering fast-bowler was on and off the field with injury in his lone match for England on their shambolic Ashes tour to Australia in 2014.
The bounce and pace he generates with the ball make Rankin the most likely threat to the Pakistan batsmen.
Andrew Balbirnie
The former Ireland Under 19 captain is perhaps the most technically polished batsman in their line-up.
His World Cup Qualifier campaign in Harare started indifferently with a run of single-figure scores, but his recent form has been strong.
He made a century against Scotland in Zimbabwe, and hit an unbeaten one in Leinster’s first-class match last week.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
The Bio
Favourite Emirati dish: I have so many because it has a lot of herbs and vegetables. Harees (oats with chicken) is one of them
Favourite place to go to: Dubai Mall because it has lots of sports shops.
Her motivation: My performance because I know that whatever I do, if I put the effort in, I’ll get results
During her free time: I like to drink coffee - a latte no sugar and no flavours. I do not like cold drinks
Pet peeve: That with every meal they give you a fries and Pepsi. That is so unhealthy
Advice to anyone who wants to be an ironman: Go for the goal. If you are consistent, you will get there. With the first one, it might not be what they want but they should start and just do it
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
All kick-off times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
Liverpool v Manchester United - 3.30pm
Burnley v West Ham United - 6pm
Crystal Palace v Chelsea - 6pm
Manchester City v Stoke City - 6pm
Swansea City v Huddersfield Town - 6pm
Tottenham Hotspur v Bournemouth - 6pm
Watford v Arsenal - 8.30pm
Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Everton - 4.30pm
Southampton v Newcastle United - 7pm
Monday
Leicester City v West Bromwich Albion - 11pm
