T20 World Cup: Ross Adair returns to Ireland’s squad for the tournament

Ireland opener Ross Adair has been named in a 15-man squad for next month’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

The former Ulster rugby player was originally included in Heinrich Malan’s squad to tour Bangladesh in November but pulled out due to a bone strain in his knee.

His return to the panel means Ireland’s squad is the same as the one they originally intended to travel for the three-match series which they lost 2-1.

Adair, who has a T20 century to his name against South Africa in September 2024 and averages 28.84 in the format, contributed 26 and 33 against England in his last ODI when he opened the batting alongside skipper Paul Sterling.

In his absence against the Tigers, Tim Tector was promoted to the starting lineup and averaged 29 in the three games with a high rating of 38.

Ireland is in a group that includes Sri Lanka, Australia, Oman and Zimbabwe in the World Cup finals, which will open against the host country in Colombo on February 8.

All four of their pool matches will be played in Sri Lanka, as the team looks to improve on their winless performance in the tournament in the United States two years ago that included a shock 12-run defeat to Canada.

Before their opening match next month, they will face Italy three times and the UAE twice in a series of friendly matches between January 23 and 31.