Former Ulster winger Ross Adair has been called up for the first time by Ireland as a replacement for Lorcan Tucker for next month’s three Twenty20 games against Zimbabwe.
The versatile 28-year-old Northern Knights player, who is the brother of Irish pacemaker Mark Adair, scored a try in his only senior appearance for Ulster in 2015.
Tucker will miss the T20s in Harare but will return for the three one-day internationals after being cleared to play in the Abu Dhabi T20 International League.
“I’m absolutely thrilled with the call, but I’m not sure it’s really integrated yet if I’m being honest,” Ross Adair said.
“It’s a huge honor for me and now I can’t wait to go on tour.”
Ireland will play three T20 games from January 12-15 against Zimbabwe before three ODIs between the sides from January 18 to 23.
Harry Tector has also been cleared by Cricket Ireland to play franchise cricket – he will feature in the new Nepal T20 but will return to the Irish squad ahead of Zimbabwe matches.
Adair, who is a right-handed hitter and left-arm spinner, forged a professional rugby union career and appeared for Ulster in the Pro12 competition in the 2014-15 season.
“I always wanted to push myself and reach the highest level possible,” added Adair.
“I had a fairly open and honest conversation with Gary Wilson a few years ago. Gary is someone I really trust and doesn’t mince his words too often, so when he said he there was a chance – a small chance, but a chance nonetheless – that’s what I wanted.
“I love my cricket and to have the opportunity to potentially represent Ireland at the highest level with Mark would mean the world to me.”
He made his A-list debut for Northern Knights in 2021 and in his last inter-pro appearance in July he hit 111 of 49 and claimed 1-28.
If selected to play, Ross and Mark Adair would be the first brothers to play for Ireland in an international fixture since Niall and Kevin O’Brien in the Test match at Malahide in 2018.
Ireland men’s team T20I: Andrew Balbirnie (captain), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Fionn Hand, Graham Hume, Tyrone Kane, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Ben White.
Ireland men’s team ODI: Andrew Balbirnie (captain), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Graham Hume, Tyrone Kane, Josh Little, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker.
