The two squads have been named for the Emerald Challenge – a four-day first-class fixture that is a vital part of the Irish senior squads' preparation for this year’s home Test Match against New Zealand – with Andrew Balbirnie and Matthew Humphreys to captain their respective teams.
The Emerald Challenge was developed as a concept in 2024 to provide a high-quality red-ball fixture as part of the lead-in to the home Test in 2024. In 2025, the Emerald Challenge changed to a three-match white ball fixture,
but in 2026 the Challenge reverts to the red-ball format.
Graeme West, Director of High Performance at Cricket Ireland, explains the changing nature of the Emerald Challenge, said,
“The Emerald Challenge is starting to establish itself as an important part of the home season calendar, it has been well received by the players and staff who have all embraced the concept and eagerly await the latest instalment at Malahide next week.
“The Emerald Challenge offers the flexibility to play a format that provides players with competitive preparation for international commitments and a platform for some of the emerging talent to gain experience and lay down a marker to the selectors.
“In the absence of a domestic First-class competition the upcoming Emerald Challenge ensures our Test squad get some quality red ball cricket under their belts before taking on New Zealand in Stormont later in the month. With the format of the Test Championship’s next edition still to be confirmed, we will await announcements from the ICC before we commit to a longer-term strategy around red-ball cricket in Ireland.”
Emerald Challenge 2026: Squads
Strikers (Head Coach: Gary Wilson)
Matthew Humphreys (c) (Instonians), Mark Adair (Lisburn), Ben Calitz (Lisburn), Cade Carmichael (Instsonians), Tom Mayes (Waringstown), Andy McBrine (Donemana), Jordan Neill (CSNI), Cian Robertson (Instonians), Paul Stirling, Morgan Topping (Waringstown), Sam Topping (Waringstown), Josh Wilson (Newbuildings), Craig Young (North Down)
Raiders (Head Coach: Chris Brown)
Andrew Balbirnie (c) (Pembroke), Curtis Campher (Clontarf), Chris Defreitas (Balbriggan), Stephen Doheny (Merrion), Gavin Hoey (Pembroke), Matthew Hollard (Balbriggan), Barry McCarthy (Pembroke), Liam McCarthy (Railway Union), Jai Moondra (Leinster), Harry Tector (Pembroke), Tim Tector (Pembroke), Lorcan Tucker (Pembroke), Rueben Wilson (Clontarf)
(Input: Cricket Ireland)
