Waringstown batter Morgan Topping has received his first call-up to the Ireland squad for their upcoming four-week tour of Zimbabwe. Topping, who was previously sidelined by injury, will join the squad for the seven-match tour, which includes all three formats of the game.
The right-handed top-order batter has been a consistent performer at the club level and has made a name for himself in the top order of the Northern Knights side in recent seasons. His inclusion in the squad follows his impressive domestic form and provides an exciting opportunity for him to showcase his skills on the international stage.
The tour will begin with a Test match against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on 6 February. Ireland will then travel to Harare for a three-match One Day International (ODI) series, followed by a T20 series of the same length, completing their schedule.
Gavin Hoey, who made his international debut in October, retains his place in the ODI squad and is also in line for a potential Test debut. Topping and Hoey are the only non-capped players in the Test squad.
Andrew Balbirnie will captain the 14-man Test squad, while Paul Stirling will take charge of the team for the ODI and T20 formats. The selectors are looking forward to what promises to be a competitive series, with Ireland having had several memorable contests with Zimbabwe since the 2007 Cricket World Cup.
“Since 2007, there have been some wonderful contests against Zimbabwe, and this should be no different. It’s exciting to have all three formats on this tour,” said Andrew White, selector for the Ireland team. “Morgan Topping has demonstrated key attributes needed to perform at international level over recent Wolves and Academy fixtures, and we wish him well.”
White also highlighted the excitement around Ireland’s young spinners and players like Ross Adair, as well as the return of Josh Little, who made a significant impact during Ireland’s last tour of Zimbabwe. Gareth Delany and Barry McCarthy are also making a return after recovering from injuries, while Craig Young will miss out on the T20 format.
Looking ahead to the future, White noted the busy cricket cycle from 2026 to 2028, with three white-ball World Cups scheduled. However, Ireland has 2025 free from ICC events, providing a crucial opportunity to build towards these major tournaments.
