Ireland’s cricket team has been one of the most exciting sides ever since they shocked the world in 2007. It was during the cricket World Cup in 2007 that Ireland cricket beat Pakistan in one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.
While Ireland has produced some amazing cricketers, Paul Stirling will be one of the leading names in the country for a long time. The burly opening batter can dominate attacks.
As Paul Stirling turns 34, the Irish star is starting to get to the end of his career. In the last decade and a half, Paul Stirling has not only been a great servant for Ireland cricket but also been their leading batter.
Ireland Cricket’s finest batter: Paul Stirling
Paul Stirling made his international debut for Ireland against New Zealand in the ODI format. The Kiwis posted a huge score of 402 on the board thanks to centuries by Hamish Marshall and Brendon McCullum. Chasing such a huge total the home team was bowled out for a mere 112 as Stirling was out for 4.
Since then, Paul Stirling has gone on to play 161 ODI matches and scored 5700 runs. He has also hit 14 centuries and 29 fifties with an average of 37. Stirling has also picked 43 wickets with the ball with a best of 6/55.
In the T20 format, Stirling is one of the most aggressive batters having scored 3601 runs from 145 matches. The batter has hit 1 century and 23 fifties with a career strike rate of 134 and has picked 20 wickets.
The T20 debut for Stirling came in 2009 when he scored 17 runs against Pakistan in his team’s loss by 39 runs. Stirling has also led the Ireland side and seen the team cause some major upsets in the T20 format.
After Ireland got their Test status, Paul Stirling went on to play 7 matches and scored 351 runs with a best of 103. That is his only century in the longest format of the game along with one fifty.
Read More: Ireland defeated Pakistan in a World Cup 2007 clash by 3 wickets at Kingston