Kevin O’Brien let his bat do the talking last night after being controversially omitted from a 14-strong Ireland squad, plus two reserves, named yesterday to compete in next month’s T20 World Cup qualifiers in Oman.

Veteran O’Brien was left out of Ireland’s recent tour of the USA and the West Indies but was expected to return for the qualifiers, especially as he is warming up in Muscat this week, playing for the World Giants in the new Legends League.

The 37-year-old, who has retired from 50-overs cricket, believes he still has something to offer in T20s and Test matches and to prove it he smashed a defiant 95 from 46 balls for the Giants, including seven sixes, after hearing the news of his omission.

O’Brien has won 389 caps - more than any other Irish sportsman or woman - in a trophy-laden career spanning 15 years, with centuries to his name in all three international formats and the fastest in a 50-overs World Cup.

But the selectors are seemingly bent on a new course and have backed the stars of the ODI series win over the West Indies this month by recalling Andy McBrine and Harry Tector to the T20 squad that lost to the USA in December.

“The players and coaches were as disappointed as the fans about the early exit from the T20 World Cup last October,” Andrew White, the chairman of selectors, said. “But I’m aware how keen this group is to rectify the failings of the past.”

The Boys in Green need only to beat minnows Germany and Bahrain to emerge from their group in Oman but a sudden death semi-final awaits, possibly against Nepal, Canada or their hosts, where O’Brien’s experience would have been invaluable.

IRELAND SQUAD: Andrew Balbirnie (c), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Shane Getkate, Josh Little, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (w), Craig Young. Travelling reserves: Neil Rock and Ben White.