Phoenix all-rounder Tyrone Kane is relishing the opportunity to be back wearing the green jersey after an absence of over three years.

The 28 year-old has been in the wilderness since he won the last of his ten caps in July 2019, having played seven times in his debut season of 2015, while he was perhaps a left-field selection for Ireland's maiden Test against Pakistan in 2018.

A switch of clubs from Merrion to Phoenix, and interpro region from Leinster to Munster has reinvigorated the hard-hitting all-rounder, and his hard work has paid off.

"I was always determined to get back into the fold, but knew I needed some performances to back it up," said Kane.

"So thankfully I held up my end of the bargain and now have another chance to make an impact on the international stage.

“There wasn’t a deliberate plan to changing my game as such, I’ve always been capable of scoring quickly and hitting sixes, but more so it was about the consistency over the last year is something I’ve been working towards.

"The move from Leinster Lightning to Munster Reds and getting the chance to bat up the order has been a huge driving factor. Without the move down to Munster, I don’t think I would be in this position now.

“When I was left out of the Cricket Ireland contracts list at the end 2020, I felt it was the right time to change both provincial and club set-ups. A reset was needed, so it definitely had a positive impact. But I’ve enjoyed brilliant times at both clubs throughout my time there.

“I think every coach you come across adds a little piece to how you develop your game, so combining all those little nuggets of knowledge together helps the overall end result. Whether it be previous coaches in the Inter-Provincial teams, or the Irish coaches over the years, I feel I’ve gained a lot from working with all of them.

“Heinrich Malan’s been great. Being outside the contracts list and working full time, it can sometimes feel like you’re a long way from being involved. He’s been incredibly helpful, keeping a line of communication always open on what the team is looking for and what as a player I needed to improve to get an opportunity. There’s always tweaks and different aspects of the game that can be worked on and he’s helped massively to put that all together.”

Meanwhile, Cricket Ireland has agreed to a date change in the fixture schedule of the  tour to Zimbabwe.

In anticipation of a large spectator turnout, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) and Cricket Ireland have agreed to move the second one-day international (ODI) match between their senior men’s teams in Harare this month to a Saturday.

That game was originally scheduled for Friday, 20 January, but it will now be played on Saturday, 21 January. The rest of the schedule remains unchanged, with the first ODI set for Wednesday, 18 January, and the third and final taking place on Monday, 23 January.

The tour schedule is:
T20I series
12 January: Zimbabwe Men v Ireland Men – 1st T20I (Harare Sports Club; start 1pm local time)
14 January: Zimbabwe Men v Ireland Men – 2nd T20I (Harare Sports Club; start 1pm local time)
15 January: Zimbabwe Men v Ireland Men – 3rd T20I (Harare Sports Club; start 1pm local time)
 
ODI Series
18 January: Zimbabwe Men v Ireland Men – 1st ODI (Harare Sports Club; start 9.15am local time)
21 January: Zimbabwe Men v Ireland Men – 2nd ODI (Harare Sports Club; start 9.15am local time)
23 January: Zimbabwe Men v Ireland Men – 3rd ODI (Harare Sports Club; start 9.15am local time)