USA Cricket today announced two 14 player Men’s National Team squads who will represent Team USA against the historic challenge of Ireland, who will be visiting the United States as a Full Member Nation of the ICC for the first time, for the multi-format white-ball series of five international matches from December 22nd to December 30th.
There are a trio of maiden Team USA call ups for three cricketers who’ve had impressive seasons through the calendar of Minor League Cricket and the USA Cricket 50 Overs National Championships in 2021 as Marty Kain (T20I only), Rahul Jariwala (ODI only) and Vatsal Vaghela (both squads) all will have the opportunity to make their maiden international appearances.
The National Selection Panel have also named a new One Day International captain with Monank Patel taking the reigns as the leader of the United States now in both white ball formats, with Aaron Jones remaining as his deputy in both ODI and T20I formats. Patel, who took over as T20I captain on the successful tour of Antigua will now become National Men’s Captain going forward. Saurabh Netravakar remains as a key member of the team and leadership group but will have the freedom now to focus more on his bowling in both ODI and T20I cricket.
There is also a return to the One Day International squad for the first time in three years for Ali Khan, who bowled with great pace in Antigua, while Xavier Marshall also returns to the ODI squad. There is a comeback into both the ODI and T20I squads for Jasdeep Singh, who has returned to full fitness, and bowled impressively at the Men’s 50 Overs National Championships in Texas. Player of the Tournament, Sushant Modani is named in the ODI squad as is the leading run scorer at the tournament, the 17 year old Rahul Jariwala.
The series is a huge opportunity for USA to play against a Full Member Nation of the ICC who are ranked higher in both white-ball formats with all five matches being played at the Broward County Stadium over the Christmas period in Florida.
Chair of the Men’s National Selection Panel, Michael Voss, said, “The selection panel have chosen to reward the outstanding performances and form of several players who have shone at the USA Cricket National Championships. Rahul Jariwala and Vatsal Vaghela are two very exciting young cricketers and this series is the perfect opportunity to bring them into the international fold for the first time. The same applies for Marty Kain, who is much more experienced but has hugely deserved his call up after a great year of cricket particularly in the shortest format.”
“In terms of the change of captaincy, the National Selection Panel felt that Monank was the correct choice as leader across both of our primary formats to keep a consistency within the playing and leadership group. We would like to pay tribute to Saurabh’s leadership and qualities as captain of Team USA in recent years who has been a fine captain for America, we are certain he will remain a key part of the team for many years to come.”
Richard Done, USA Cricket Operations Director, added, “This series is a huge opportunity for the sport in the country and for our best Men’s cricketers to take on Ireland, a nation with a very impressive pedigree over the last decade and beyond. After the National Team’s success in Antigua, which was followed immediately by a highly competitive 50 Overs National Championships, we are looking forward to what we hope to be a great challenge for us in both formats against higher ranked opposition.”
USA T20 International Series Squad (December 22nd – 23rd)
Monank Patel (Captain)
Aaron Jones (Vice-captain)
Ali Khan
Gajanand Singh
Jasdeep Singh
Jaskaran Malhotra
Karima Gore
Marty Kain
Nisarg Patel
Rusty Theron
Saurabh Netravalkar
Steven Taylor
Vatsal Vaghela
Xavier Marshall
Reserve: Kyle Phillip
USA One Day International Series Squad (December 26th – 30th)
Monank Patel (Captain)
Aaron Jones (Vice-captain)
Ali Khan
Gajanand Singh
Jaskaran Malhotra
Jasdeep Singh
Nisarg Patel
Nosthush Kenjige
Rahul Jariwala
Saurabh Netravalkar
Steven Taylor
Sushant Modani
Vatsal Vaghela
Xavier Marshall
Reserve: Kyle Phillip
