Niall O’Brien is fit after an operation on his finger and will return for Ireland on this month’s tour of Zimbabwe.
The Northamptonshire player was today named in a 14-strong squad which also contains his fellow wicketkeeper-batsman Gary Wilson, of Surrey, and captain William Porterfield, of Gloucestershire.
Ireland’s Warwickshire fast bowler Boyd Rankin is still out with a foot injury - but like medium-pacer Alex Cusack, is hoping to be fit for a tour of the subcontinent at the end of this year in preparation for the World Cup.
Ireland face a Zimbabwe XI in an Intercontinental Cup tie in Harare on September 20-23, and then Zimbabwe again in three one-day internationals.
Ireland coach Phil Simmons said: “It’s an important trip for a variety of reasons.
“We’re currently ranked 10th in the world, above Zimbabwe, and we want to not only keep our position but close in on and possibly overhaul [ninth-placed] Bangladesh.
“We haven’t given up hope of still qualifying for the final of the Intercontinental Cup.
“The World Cup is now only five months away, and for the fringe players these fixtures represent a mammoth opportunity to convince me and the selectors that they should be on the plane to Bangladesh and India.
“I hope that they take their chance and make a name for themselves. I have most of the squad in my mind, but there’s still a few places up for grabs.”
Ireland squad (v Zimbabwe): W Porterfield (captain), A Botha, G Dockrell, A Eastwood (Pembroke), T Johnston, N Jones, J Mooney, K O’Brien, N O’Brien (wkt), A Poynter, P Stirling, A Van De Merwe, A White, G Wilson (wkt).