Massive blow for Pretoria Capitals! Paul Stirling ruled out of SA20 2024

Pretoria Capitals (PC) have suffered a major blow in the ongoing SA20 2024. Star Ireland opening batter Paul Stirling has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament after suffering a calf injury.

Paul Stirling sustained a calf-injury ahead of the Pretoria Capitals game against Durban Super Giants. The batter got injured during the training session and was deemed unfit to play in the further part of the ongoing SA20 2024.

Pretoria Capitals confirmed the development on their Twitter handle on Monday (29th January). The franchise also wished the batter a speedy recovery. Taking to his Twitter account, the team explained:

“The Irish top-order batter Paul Stirling has sustained a calf injury ruling him out of the rest of the tournament. The Pretoria Capitals family wishes him a speedy recovery.”

UPDATE.

The Irish top-order batter Paul Stirling has sustained a calf injury ruling him out of the rest of the tournament. The Pretoria Capitals family wishes him a speedy recovery. #RoarSaamMore #SA20 pic.twitter.com/Kqj17ZB0IR

— Pretoria Capitals (@PretoriaCapsSA) January 29, 2024

Paul Stirling didn’t play a single game in the tournament but he could’ve proved to be the best backup for the openers in Will Jacks and Philip Salt. The Ireland captain possesses a huge amount of experience in T20 cricket and has been a veteran in the format.

Paul Stirling has played 340 T20s in his career so far and has slammed 8191 runs at a strike rate of over 141 to go with three centuries and 52 half-centuries. In the 134 T20Is for Ireland, he has scored 3439 runs to his name and is one of the highest run m-getters in international cricket in the format.

Paul Stirling missing the remainder of the season marks the second injury for Pretoria Capitals in the league. Earlier, New Zealand all-rounder James Neesham was ruled out of the tournament after he got injured during an encounter against Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

James Neesham didn’t have a great outing in the SA20 2024 as he scored 80 runs from 6 matches at an average of 13.33. He also picked 4 wickets at an economy rate of 9.45 and at an average of 16.50. In his place Pretoria Capitals named all-rounder Jacques Snyman as the replacement.

Pretoria Capitals replaces Paul Stirling with Colin Ackermann for the remainder of the SA20 2024

In place of Paul Stirling, Pretoria Capitals has acquired the services of South African-born Dutch all-rounder Colin Ackermann. This will be a great addition to the team for the remainder of the season as he will provide great balance to the team with both bat and ball.

The franchise confirmed the development on their Twitter handle. They stated: “South African-born Dutch all-rounder Colin Ackermann has joined the Pretoria Capitals as the replacement for Paul Stirling. Pitori, give him a warm welcome.”

South African-born Dutch all-rounder Colin Ackermann has joined the Pretoria Capitals as the replacement for Paul Stirling. 🙌

Pitori, give him a warm welcome. 💙#RoarSaamMore #SA20 pic.twitter.com/LrLrv5k9Vn

— Pretoria Capitals (@PretoriaCapsSA) January 29, 2024

Pretoria Capitals are having a torrid run in the ongoing SA20 2024. They have won just two games out of the 7 games that they have played. They are currently 4th on the points table and still have a chance to qualify for the playoffs. They would be hoping to win their remaining games and make their case strong in the tournament. They will be next seen in action when they take on Durban Super Giants on Tuesday (30th January) in Durban.