'Want to play as much cricket against the top teams as possible' - Delany looks ahead to a big 2022 for Ireland

Earlier this year, Delany helped Ireland secure a seventh straight appearance at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia, as he top-scored with 47 against Oman in the semi-finals of the 'A' Qualifier.

With all the white-ball cricket scheduled, the 24-year-old all-rounder hopes to better his prospects of making it to the final squad that will fly to Australia.

“With T20Is, it's probably harder to put a consistent run of good performances together given the nature of the format, but if I can put in some match-winning performances with the bat and ball for Munster at Inter-Pro level, and perform at international level during the home internationals, it puts me in a good place to be part of that World Cup squad come October,” Delany said in an interview with Cricket Ireland.

Ireland have an action-packed summer of cricket waiting for them. They will prepare to compete with India, New Zealand, South Africa and Afghanistan at home as a build-up to the T20 World Cup.

Delany believes all the international action will bring in massive crowds and will be a big challenge for Ireland.

“It's a really exciting summer of cricket. There was a definite buzz among the group when the India games were announced, after the massive crowds and atmosphere when they were here back in 2018. As a group, we want to play as much cricket against the top teams as possible and that is certainly the case this summer.”

He was part of the Ireland squad that went to UAE for the T20 World Cup 2021. Ireland crashed out of the tournament in the First Round, managing to record only a single win.

Delany’s spot looks safe even with added competition for places within the team. But in the recent tours, representing the Ireland ‘A’ side against Namibia has given him the confidence to break into the team once again and cement his position.

Delany has also outlined his ambitions to be a part of the ODI setup.

“I'd like to think I can break into the team, but the ODI side has been performing very well for a long period of time, - plus there’s a lot of competition for places with guys having put in some very good performances. So the only thing that I can focus on will be to try and put in some good performances consistently over the summer to keep pushing myself into contention.”

IRELAND MEN’S FIXTURES

Ireland Men v India Men T20I series

1st T20I - Sunday 26 June: Ireland v India, (Malahide)
2nd T20I - Tuesday 28 June: Ireland v India, (Malahide)

Ireland Men v New Zealand Men series

1st ODI - Sunday 10 July: Ireland v New Zealand, (Malahide)
2nd ODI - Tuesday 12 July: Ireland v New Zealand, (Malahide)
3rd ODI - Friday 15 July: Ireland v New Zealand, (Malahide)
1st T20I - Monday 18 July: Ireland v New Zealand, (Stormont)
2nd T20I - Wednesday 20 July: Ireland v New Zealand, (Stormont)
3rd T20I - Friday 22 July: Ireland v New Zealand, (Stormont)

Ireland Men v South Africa Men T20I series

1st T20I - Wednesday 3 August: Ireland v South Africa, (Bristol)
2nd T20I - Friday 5 August: Ireland v South Africa, (Bristol)

Ireland Men v Afghanistan T20I series

1st T20I - Tuesday 9 August: Ireland v Afghanistan, (Stormont)
2nd T20I - Thursday 11 August: Ireland v Afghanistan, (Stormont)
3rd T20I - Friday 12 August: Ireland v Afghanistan, (Stormont)
4th T20I - Monday 15 August: Ireland v Afghanistan, (Stormont)
5th T20I - Wednesday 17 August: Ireland v Afghanistan, (Stormont)