SL vs IRE: Massive Boost For Ireland As Paul Stirling Set To Join Test Squad For Sri Lanka Series

Ireland’s cricket team will receive a significant boost with the inclusion of opener Paul Stirling in their squad for the second Test of the Sri Lanka tour. Paul Stirling had returned home after Ireland’s white-ball tour of Bangladesh, but has been added to the squad for the upcoming Test series following changes to the original schedule.

Initially, the tour was supposed to comprise a single Test and two ODIs. However, the limited-overs fixtures were later abandoned to make room for an additional Test. As a result, Paul Stirling will now be available for selection in the 15-member squad for the second Test, which is scheduled to begin on April 16th. Both Test matches will take place in Galle.

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Paul Stirling is a vital player for Ireland, having played in 145 ODIs and 124 T20Is for his country. He has also featured in 3 Test matches and is considered to be one of the most important members of Ireland’s batting line-up. His inclusion in the squad will give the team a much-needed boost and enhance their chances of a strong showing in the Test series against Sri Lanka.

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The Sri Lanka tour will be a stern test for Ireland, as they have only won one of their eleven previous Test matches. However, with the likes of Stirling in their ranks, they will be hopeful of putting up a competitive performance and achieving a positive result in the upcoming Test series.

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Paul Stirling Set To Shift Focus To Red-Ball Cricket

According to Andrew White, the national selector at Cricket Ireland, Paul Stirling initially intended to join the squad in Sri Lanka for the ODI series. However, due to changes in the schedule that saw the limited-overs fixtures canceled and replaced with an additional Test match, Stirling will now be included in the Test squad for the second Test match against Sri Lanka.

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White stated that Paul Stirling’s focus will now shift towards red-ball cricket, with the postponed Bangladesh T20I series providing him with more time to prepare for the upcoming Test series. Despite missing out on the one-off Test match against Bangladesh in Dhaka starting on 4th April, Stirling’s inclusion in the Test squad against Sri Lanka will be a significant boost for Ireland.

Ireland squad for Sri Lanka Tests: Andrew Balbirnie (c), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Murray Commins, George Dockrell, Fionn Hand, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Tom Mayes, Andrew McBrine, James McCollum, Paul Stirling*, PJ Moor, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White.

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*Paul Stirling will only be available for selection for the second Test

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