Jordan Neill vows to come back harder after injury setbacks ahead of Namibia tour

Ireland bowling all-rounder Jordan Neill says a run of injury setbacks has made him "hungrier to come back harder" as he looks to force his way into the side for the upcoming one-day series in Namibia.

Neill has been selected by new head coach Gary Wilson for the five-match series, which begins on Thursday in Windhoek at 08:30 BST. The 21-year-old made his Ireland debut at the age of 19 in 2025, but he suffered a number of injuries following his Test debut series in Bangladesh, leaving him sidelined for the bulk of this year.

Hard lessons after Bangladesh

He has since returned to action and was drafted by the Amsterdam Flames in the inaugural European T20 Premier League. Now he is keen to make up for lost time.

"There were definitely times where I was a bit down in the dumps," said the South Africa-born Neill 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."

Neill admitted he had hoped to feature in the New Zealand Test at the start of the summer, having played in the Bangladesh games. "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."

Despite the frustration, Neill said he believes "everything happens for a reason". "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."

Series a key step towards World Cup qualifying

The tour marks the start of Ireland's preparations for next year's World Cup qualifier. Namibia will co-host the 2027 tournament alongside South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Neill believes the series will give players the chance to stake a claim for a place in the squad, while also helping the team get up to speed in the 50-over format. "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."

Fixtures

All matches are played in Windhoek:

• October 22 – 1st ODI, 08:30 BST
• October 24 – 2nd ODI, 08:30 BST
• October 27 – 3rd ODI, 07:30 GMT
• October 30 – 4th ODI, 07:30 GMT
• November 1 – 5th ODI, 07:30 GMT

Fixtures and start times are subject to change.