Uncapped Calitz in Ireland squad for England ODIs

Batter and wicketkeeper Ben Calitz has been called up to the Ireland squad for the first time for the three-match T20 series against England in Malahide this month.

The uncapped 23-year-old is part of a 14-man squad for the series which is historic because it will be the first time the two sides have met in the T20 format of the game in Ireland.

The teams have only met twice in T20 internationals, the first encounter in 2010 ending as a no result, with Ireland winning by five runs by virtue of the Duckworth Lewis [DLS] method at the T20 World Cup in Melbourne in 2022.

Ireland will be without Mark Adair, Fionn Hand and Josh Little, who are unavailable as they work through rehabilitation programmes.

Calitz is Canadian-born and has represented his native country at under-19 level, but moved to Ireland in 2022.

After initially playing club cricket, he played for Munster Reds in the Inter-Provincial series, then represented Northern Knights in 2025.

In April this year he was selected for the Ireland Wolves’ tour to the United Arab Emirates.

England have named a squad which largely does not include any of their multi-format players, many of whom are being rested before this winter’s Ashes series.

The team will be led by Jacob Bethell, who at 21 is set to become the youngest man to captain England in an international, with Jordan Cox being rewarded for his outstanding form in The Hundred with a call-up.