Injury setbacks fuel Neill's hunger for Namibia tour
· Yahoo Sports
Ireland bowling all-rounder Jordan Neill feels past injury setbacks have made him "hungrier to come back harder" in the upcoming one-day series in Namibia.
Neill has been selected by new head coach Gary Wilson for the five-match series that begins on Thursday in Windhoek (08:30 BST).
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The 21-year-old made his Ireland debut at the age of 19 in 2025 but suffered a number of injuries following his Test debut series in Bangladesh, leaving him sidelined for the bulk of this year.
He has since returned to action and was drafted by the Amsterdam Flames in the inaugural European T20 Premier League and is now keen to make up for lost time.
"There were definitely times where I was a bit down in the dumps," South Africa-born Neill said of his injury setbacks.
"Coming back, it was almost like even more of a throwing into the deep end kind of thing because you've got to swim in Bangladesh. I think it's probably one of the hardest places to go as a fast bowler.
"I was very excited for the New Zealand Test at the beginning of the summer. I felt that, with having played the Bangladesh games, maybe I would have a shot to get in there for that match so I really had the hopes up. But then I was hit with injury again and that was tough, especially being a Belfast boy."
Neill said he believes "everything happens for a reason", adding: "I think I'd also rather have that happen earlier on in my career than later on, learning to deal with injury and setback. It definitely does just make you a bit hungrier to come back harder."
Namibia tour good preparation for World Cup qualifier
Ireland's tour to Namibia will mark the start of their preparations for next year's World Cup qualifier. Namibia will co-host the 2027 tournament, alongside South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Neill believes this series will give players the opportunity to stake their claim for a place in the squad and also help the team get up to speed in the 50-over format once more.
"With the World Cup coming up this time next year and Namibia in particular co-hosting and especially with the need to qualify, it's definitely something that we're all pushing towards," he said.
"With the way things have gone with injuries to players this past six months, there have generally been a few spots up for grabs if guys put their hands up.
"This tour probably gives players an opportunity to try to get settled going into what would be the really important games coming up.
"Firstly, it's just great to get more 50-over cricket in and then secondly, to try to balance out the side the way the coaches would want going forward."
Namibia v Ireland fixture details
All matches played in Windhoek
October
22 1st ODI
Play starts at 08:30 BST
24 2nd ODI (08:30 BST)
27 3rd ODI (07:30 GMT)
30 4th ODI (07:30 GMT)
November
1 5th ODI (07:30 GMT)
NB Fixtures and start times are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made.