Joyce back in Irish World Cup squad

ED JOYCE has returned to the Ireland Cricket squad for the World Cup.

The 32-year-old, who played for England in the 2007 competition, was one of 15 players named by coach Phil Simmons yesterday for the tournament in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka from February 19 to April 2.

Having failed to tie down a place in the England squad, Joyce is back for Ireland after gaining special dispensation for the International Cricket Council (ICC) in an experienced line up that includes the likes of captain William Porterfield, Trent Johnston, the O’Brien brothers Niall and Kevin as well as John Mooney and Andrew White. Amongst those who will be playing at the World Cup for the first time will be teenage spin bowler George Dockrell along with Middlesex’s Paul Sterling.

The one notable omission is Regan West, who has had persistent injury problems and who hasn’t played for Ireland in the last 18 months.

“As with most Irish teams of the past few years, there are quite a few all-rounders, and that gives us plenty of options in all departments,” said Simmons.

“This squad contains a lot of experience with nine having played in the 2007 competition – I am sure that is more than most teams.

“What is different this time from 2007 is that 13 of the 15 earn their living from cricket – that’s practically a full-time squad. It makes such a difference having the guys full-time.”

There is no place in the squad for Hamish Marshall, with the New Zealander being refused the special dispensation given to Joyce.

Ireland will travel to Dubai on 28 January for a pre-World Cup training camp, and have scheduled warm-up games against New Zealand and Zimbabwe before their first game in the competition proper against Bangladesh on 25 February.

Ireland are in Group B alongside Bangladesh, India, England, the Netherlands, South Africa and West Indies.