Irish to miss Porterfield

Porterfield: County over country

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Ireland will be without William Porterfield for their upcoming fixtures after he decided to stay at Gloucestershire.

The 23-year-old will remain with the county to try and make the most of his opportunity in the absence of the injured Craig Spearman.

It means the Irish will not be able to call upon their opening batsman when they face Bangladesh A in 20-over and 50-over games on Friday and Sunday respectively.

Porterfield is also going to miss the One-Day Internationals against Scotland and New Zealand, which take place next month.

Ironically, the left-hander has come up against the Kiwis already this year, taking a catch when used as a sub-fielder by England in the third match of the NatWest Series at Bristol.

Hardest decision

"It's definitely the hardest decision I've ever had to make, and I didn't think it would come so early in my time at Gloucester," Porterfield said.

"I'm just embarking on my professional career, and trying to cement my place in the team.

"The injury to Craig Spearman has given me an opportunity to stake a claim for a permanent position, and I have to take it."

Kyle McCallan has been named captain of a squad that includes Middlesex batsman Eoin Morgan and Surrey wicketkeeper Gary Wilson.

Squad for the matches against Scotland and New Zealand:

K McCallan (Waringstown, capt), A Botha (North County), P Connell (North Down), A Cusack (Clontarf), P Eaglestone (Strabane), T Fourie (Railway Union), G Kidd (Waringstown), E Morgan (Middlesex), A Poynter (Clontarf), P Stirling (Cliftonville), R Strydom (North County), A White (Instonians), G Wilson (Surrey)