Tector and Humphreys continue to lead the way with bat and ball respectively, with the former averaging 43 across his past eight T20 internationals to form a strong middle-order with wicket-keeper Lorcan Tucker.
Ross Adair, who still has Ireland’s most recent T20 century to his name thanks to his knock against South Africa in 2024, appears to have held off the challenge of the younger Tector brother, Tim, to open alongside captain Paul Stirling.
Despite the skipper averaging 20 across the 16 T20s Ireland have played since the last World Cup, the 35-year-old remains the side’s best player against the spin bowling they are sure to face in Sri Lankan conditions.
The bowling resurgence of veteran all-rounder George Dockrell – who took four wickets for 53 runs from 13 overs in the warm-ups – allows for the lengthening of the batting line-up where 23-year-old Ben Calitz will be relied upon to provide some left-handed thump.
It is all, however, expected to be at the expense of a genuine quick. An out-of-sorts Josh Little did not feature in either match against the UAE after not managing a wicket in two games against both Bangladesh and Italy with an economy rate ranging between 9.50 and 13.50.
The player who took a memorable T20 World Cup hat-trick against New Zealand in 2022, and indeed had figures of 4-23 against Sunday’s opposition a year prior, looks likely to start the tournament outside the starting XI.
With Mark Adair, Ireland’s leading T20 wicket-taker there to shoulder the load in terms of seam, it means Malan’s selection can all, in one way or another, take some confidence from their preparations.
Whether that transfers to facing the likes of Sri Lanka and Australia, however, will be the determining factor in Ireland’s efforts.
