Paul Stirling has been named Ireland men’s new white-ball captain, succeeding Andy Balbirnie, who stood down earlier this summer. Balbirnie will continue as captain of the Test team.
Stirling, 33, has already coached the team on 22 occasions, including guiding Ireland to qualification for the 2024 T20 World Cup. His hiring comes at the start of the cycle for the next ODI World Cup, which will be hosted in South Africa in 2027, with Ireland wanting to return in the expanded, 14-team format after missing out in 2019 and 2023, as well as the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in 2026.
“Playing for Ireland has always been a source of pride for me and to be confirmed the permanent white-ball captain is a recognition I don’t take for granted,” Stirling said in a statement. “I’ve had a great time working with Heinrich [Malan] and the coaching staff as interim captain over the last few months, but we all know that we could have three World Cup campaigns in the next four years, and the work begins now.”
“I recently stated that ODI cricket was my favourite format, and watching the 50-over World Cup has been a great motivator for me to ensure we are present at the next event in 2027.” I know this ambition is shared by the entire squad, so we’ll try to channel it into the next series, which is set to begin in December.
“We also recognise that there is only eight months now to the next T20 World Cup, so the clock has well-and-truly started on our preparations.”
“We also recognise that there is only eight months now to the next T20 World Cup, so the clock has well-and-truly started on our preparations.”
Balbirnie stepped down as Ireland’s white-ball captain following the country’s failure to qualify for the present ODI World Cup in India, finishing eighth at the ICC Qualifier in Zimbabwe. Stirling oversaw the T20 World Cup Europe Region Qualifier, as well as series against India and England. Ireland’s next trip will be to Zimbabwe in December.
Despite the split leadership, Ireland’s national selector Andrew White stated that he expected both Stirling, who is closing in on Kevin O’Brien’s record amount of Ireland caps, and Balbirnie to be available across all three formats.
“I am pleased that we have now settled the captaincy matter and I know the planning between the coaching and senior leadership group has already begun,” White said in a statement. “We have an exciting four-year period coming up and I look forward to working closely with Paul and Andrew as we take this squad forward.”
“The last few months of dealing so closely with Paul has confirmed that we have an asset of vast experience and knowledge within the playing group – experience and knowledge he has gained from his time with Ireland, in franchise cricket, and formerly within county cricket,” Ireland men’s head coach Heinrich Malan added.
“While spectators may admire Paul’s prowess on the pitch, his leadership skills and ability to communicate throughout the squad are greatly undervalued. He lives and breathes cricket, and his enthusiasm for Irish cricket is obvious to all. It’s incredible to believe Paul has been playing international cricket for 15 years and still has many more good years ahead of him to lead this squad and assist Irish cricket flourish.
“We are aware of the challenges that Irish cricket faces, but we are a coaching and leadership unit that seeks solutions rather than making excuses.” Paul is a perfect example of this; he is an unashamed optimist who I know is driven to achieve. It’s great to have the leadership dilemma settled, and we’re looking forward to leading Irish cricket forward in the next years.”
