Paul Stirling makes history with 10,000 international runs for Ireland

Ireland captain Paul Stirling is currently leading his team in the three-match ODI series opener against the West Indies at the Clontarf Cricket Club in Dublin on May 21. The West Indies won the toss and invited Ireland to bat first on their home conditions, and they had a flying start.

Andrew Balbirnie and Paul Stirling have stitched a remarkable 109-run partnership for the opening stand to set a strong platform for the hosts against the West Indies in the first ODI in Dublin. However, Gudakesh Motie managed to break the dangerous partnership between the Irish stars.

Paul Stirling becomes the first Irish cricketer to score 10,000 international runs

Before losing his wicket to Gudakesh Motie, the Ireland captain had scripted history. Stirling became the first Irish player to have combined 10,000 runs across Test, ODI, and T20I formats. He achieved this milestone on the final ball of the 17th over in Dublin.

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Gudakesh Motie delivered a full ball on leg stump, and Paul Stirling stepped forward and drove it to long-on. With that single, the 34-year-old batter reached 10,000 runs for Ireland across all three formats of the game.

He's just passed the landmark in Clontarf! 🙌

Well done Stirlo 👏👏👏

👀 WATCH: TNT Sport 2
📝 SCORECARD: https://t.co/9cwPX120LU#BackingGreen #TokenFi @solar_failte ☘️🏏 pic.twitter.com/ezyR3T78xh

— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) May 21, 2025

Meanwhile, Roston Chase got a breakthrough with his very first ball. Paul Stirling stepped out and tried to go big on a leg-stump delivery but ended up hitting it straight to Motie at deep backward square leg. It was a well-timed shot, but the fielder was perfectly placed on the point to end his solid innings.

It was a much-needed wicket for the West Indies, while the Ireland captain walked out after scoring 54 runs off 64 balls with the help of six boundaries and two maximums in the ongoing first ODI match. When the 34-year-old’s wicket fell, Ireland’s score was 109/1 against the West Indies.

ICC World Cup 2027 race heats up

Meanwhile, the ongoing three-match ODI series is crucial for both the West Indies and Ireland as they fight for a spot in the ICC World Cup 2027 in South Africa and Zimbabwe. The West Indies, ranked ninth, are riding high after ODI series wins over England and Bangladesh.

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Even without some IPL 2025-bound players, they are looking like a dangerous side. On the other hand, Ireland ranked 12th and came into the home ODI series after a series loss to Zimbabwe. With key players like Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, and Craig Young out due to injury, the Irish team will rely on young bowlers to step up against the West Indies.

Last time, Ireland had won the ODI series against the West Indies, and they are hoping for the same result this time as well. Well, the Irish side already raced to 150 inside 30 overs with Andrew Balbirnie batting brilliantly on 62* and Cade Carmichael (16*) holding from the other side.

Playing XI's for Ireland vs West Indies 1st ODI:

West Indies Playing XI: Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Keacy Carty, Shaie (wk/c), Amir Jangoo, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Matthew Forde, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph

Ireland Playing XI: Paul Stirling(c), Andrew Balbirnie, Cade Carmichael, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker(w), George Dockrell, Andy McBrine, Thomas Mayes, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little, Liam McCarthy