Mooney returns for Ireland after illness

John Mooney, the Ireland seamer, will return to international cricket for his country's series with Scotland next month.

Mooney, 32, left Ireland's tour of West Indies in February with a stress-related illness - a condition he managed for an "unspecified amount of time" - but is now set to return for the three-match ODI series in Malahide.

A veteran of 71 internationals for Ireland, Mooney has taken 35 wickets at 29.60 in 48 ODIs and returns under the captaincy of Kevin O'Brien, with Ed Joyce unavailable.

O'Brien and Mooney are two of four changes for Ireland from the squad who played Sri Lanka A last month. Somerset spinner George Dockrell and inexperienced Max Sorensen are also included

"The focus now for the squad is very much geared towards World Cup preparation," O'Brien said. "These three matches against Scotland are an important part of that. "There are still places up for grabs and everyone's working really hard to make sure they're part of what's sure to be a fantastic event.

"Scotland are ever improving over the last few years, and have a vibrant young squad mixed in with some experienced players, like Majid Haq and Richie Berrington. Like ourselves, they will be keen to use these games as preparation for the World Cup, but most importantly we both will be looking to win, so I expect these games to be tough and closely contested.

"We've got a nice blend of youth and experience in our squad and it'll be great to meet up with them again for this series. There's more depth to our cricket now than ever before and a greater competition for places which can only be good for our cricket."

Ireland squad v Scotland
Kevin O'Brien (capt, Railway Union), John Anderson (Merrion), Andrew Balbirnie (Middlesex), George Dockrell (Somerset), John Mooney (North County), Andrew McBrine (Donemana), Graeme McCarter (Gloucestershire), Andrew Poynter (Clontarf), Stuart Poynter (Durham), Max Sorensen (The Hills), Stuart Thompson (Eglinton), Andrew White (Instonians), Craig Young (Bready)

Fixtures
Monday September 8, 1st ODI, Malahide Wednesday September 10, 2nd ODI, Malahide Friday September 12, 3rd ODI, Malahide