Paul Stirling named Ireland vice-captain

Paul Stirling has been confirmed by Cricket Ireland as the international men’s squad vice-captain.
Ireland's Paul Stirling. Pic by Sportsfile.Ireland's Paul Stirling. Pic by Sportsfile.
Ireland's Paul Stirling. Pic by Sportsfile.

Stirling made his international debut for Ireland in 2008, and has appeared 282 times for the national side, currently the fourth-highest number of caps for Ireland.

He has amassed 8,821 runs across all formats as Ireland’s second-highest run-scorer of all-time and taken 101 wickets. In 2019, Stirling stood in as acting Ireland captain for six T20 Internationals.

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Andrew Balbirnie, captain of Ireland men’s cricket team, said: “I’ve known Paul since I was about 12 years old when we first played against each other in inter-provincial cricket.

“We both went to Middlesex at the same time and lived together over in London, so he’s someone I consider a very close mate but also a very valuable person to have in our side from a knowledge point of view.

“So I didn’t really hesitate when I was thinking about who could be my vice-captain – he stuck out to me straight away. I first mentioned the idea to him in the Caribbean and he said he’d love to do it.

“He’s someone that I’ve always sought advice from when thinking about my batting, so to have him as my right-hand man over the next few years is really exciting and one I’m sure he’s excited for as well.

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“I think within the Irish squad we have a lot of experienced guys to be able to voice their opinion, but at the end of the day, it is my decision.

“To have different points of view is great and refreshing, but with someone like Paul he is someone I’d talk to a lot about the game – it’s exciting for the next phase of the squad we’re bringing through.

“Even for the young players, to have someone like Paul to have a chat to in the change room or at training, he’s valuable to us both on the field and off.”

Stirling confirmed his excitement to help Balbirnie “shape the way this Irish side moves forward in the coming months and years ahead”.

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