Zimbabwe batsman Sean Williams has been named in the Ireland squad for their two-match ODI series against Afghanistan in June. The 28-year-old has not played ODIs since 2016 and has not represented Zimbabwe since his side’s tour of West Indies in 2017, where he struggled with fitness problems. It is understood that Williams has been pencilled in to make his international return in the series opener on Friday, June 15 (1400 BST) before returning for the final game at Malahide on Sunday, June 17 (1000 BST).
Zimbabwe star Sean Williams has been named in the Ireland squad for their two-match ODI series against Afghanistan in June.
Sean Williams is a Zimbabwean cricketer who has not played ODIs since 2016 and has not represented his country since 2017.
The 28-year-old will now represent the Ireland national team for their two-match ODI series against Afghanistan in June, which will be his first international appearance in almost two years.
The 28-year-old batsman has not played ODIs since 2016 and has not represented Zimbabwe since his side’s tour of West Indies in 2017, where he struggled with fitness problems.
Sean Williams is back. The Zimbabwe star has not played ODIs since 2016, but will make his comeback in Ireland’s ODI series this week.
The 28-year-old batsman has not represented Zimbabwe since the team’s tour of West Indies in 2017, where he struggled with fitness problems and was dropped from the squad after failing to recover in time for the World Cup Qualifier later that year.
Williams has spent most of his career playing T20 cricket and currently plays domestic cricket for Gauteng province in South Africa’s domestic T20 competition, Mzansi Super League (MSL).
It is understood that Williams has been pencilled in to make his international return in the series opener in Belfast on Friday, June 15 (1400 BST) before returning for the final game at Malahide on Sunday, June 17 (1000 BST).
Williams is set to make his international debut for Ireland after being called up as cover for Andy Balbirnie, who has been ruled out of the series due to injury.
The Zimbabwean batsman last played ODIs in 2016 and last played for Zimbabwe in 2017.
Ireland also have uncapped pair Ed Joyce and Andrew Balbirnie available for selection again after they missed the preceding World Cup qualifiers due to injury.
Ireland also have uncapped pair Ed Joyce and Andrew Balbirnie available for selection again after they missed the preceding World Cup qualifiers due to injury.
It is understood that Williams has been pencilled in to make his international return in the series opener at Bready on June 2, while Boyd Rankin could also feature after recovering from a serious knee injury which ruled him out of Ireland’s World Cup campaign last year.
Sean Williams will make his international debut for Ireland
In a rare move, Zimbabwean batsman Sean Williams will make his international debut for Ireland.
Williams has not played ODIs since 2016 and has been out of action since 2017 due to disciplinary issues. He last represented Zimbabwe on the tour of West Indies in 2017 where they lost all three Tests and five ODIs. He was also part of their squad that played Afghanistan at home earlier this year but did not get any game time due to injury concerns.
The 30-year-old left-hander who has been playing county cricket for Derbyshire since 2015 will be available only till September 2 as he departs for New Zealand after that date as part of their full member status agreement with Cricket Ireland (CI).
Conclusion
Sean Williams is a massive boost for Ireland as they look to make their mark in the international arena and build on their strong showing in World Cup Qualifiers earlier this year. The Zimbabwean star has not played ODIs since 2016 but his form in first-class cricket over the past few months has been impressive, including scores of 152 and 134 not out against Bangladesh A last month. His return will give Ireland another option with their batting line-up after Ed Joyce and Andrew Balbirnie missed out on selection due to injury but both are expected back soon so there could be plenty of competition for places in future squads too!
