Paul Robert Stirling is an Irish cricketer who was born on September 3, 1990. Stirling is the Ireland cricket team’s opening batsman and a right-arm off-break bowler on occasion.
During the T20 internationals, he is one of the top ten run-scorers. In May 2018, he was one of eleven cricketers who took part in Ireland’s first-ever Test match against Pakistan. In June 2020, he was named vice-captain of the Ireland squad.
Overview
Stirling made his first-class debut for Ireland in the Intercontinental Cup in March 2008. Stirling made his One Day International debut the same year (ODIs).
George Barlow also took advantage of him. Stirling signed a contract with Middlesex in December 2009 after playing for the club’s youth teams and Second XI. A month later, he was given a full-time contract by Cricket Ireland, making him one of just six full-time players in the country.
In 2010 and 2011, he made his Twenty20 and List A debuts for Middlesex, respectively.
Stirling was one of nineteen players handed a central contract by Cricket Ireland for the 2019 season in December 2018.
Stirling became the first hitter for Ireland to score 4,000 runs in one-day internationals in the second ODI against Zimbabwe in July 2019. He was one of nineteen players to receive a central contract from Cricket Ireland in January 2020, marking the first year that all contracts were issued on a full-time basis.
Stirling achieved his first-class century in July 2009. He opened the batting with Jeremy Bray in Ireland’s first encounter of the 2009–10 ICC Intercontinental Cup, scoring 100 in the first innings.
Stirling was part of the Irish squad that competed at the 2010 Under-19 World Cup, which was held in New Zealand in January. The team finished tenth overall out of 16 teams in the Plate Championship, coming second to Bangladesh.
Stirling joined former Ireland international Eoin Morgan at Middlesex County Cricket Club in December 2009, signing a three-year contract. Stirling’s objective, according to Angus Fraser, the club’s director of cricket, is to represent Ireland.
“Paul has been involved with the Middlesex youth sides and Second XI and we are delighted that he has now signed a full time contract for the club.
“His batting for Ireland in 2009 highlighted his potential,” he said as reported on BBC.
The following month, Stirling was offered a full-time job by Cricket Ireland, Ireland’s governing body for cricket. He was one of six players to receive such a contract from Cricket Ireland, and it came barely a year after Ireland’s cricketers received their first professional contracts.
Previously, players were amateurs who supplemented their income by doing other jobs and playing cricket in their spare time.
Stirling and the others were able to concentrate on cricket as a result of the deal, with the goal of improving ahead of the 2011 World Cup.
Early life of Paul Stirling
Stirling got into Middlesex’s one-day side after the 2011 Cricket World Cup, making his List A debut for the club on April 24 against Worcestershire.
Despite the fact that Middlesex did not advance beyond the group stages of the 2011 Clydesdale Bank 40, Stirling had a successful career. He was Middlesex’s highest run-scorer and ranked seventh in the competition with 535 runs from 12 matches.
Stirling scored his first century for Middlesex late in the competition, scoring 109 runs off 81 balls in a 34-run win over Derbyshire.
Despite playing a full-strength side in an ODI against England in August 2012, many of Ireland’s senior players were unavailable for the team’s first match of the 2011–13 Intercontinental Cup due to county commitments.
Stirling’s offensive half-century in the final innings of the match guided Ireland to victory. Stirling’s second first-class century came later that month.
Stirling was nominated for the ICC Awards in the categories of “Emerging Player of the Year” and “Associate and Affiliate Player of the Year” in August 2010.
He was the only associate member nominated in the “Emerging Player” category, with the other 15 players from Test-playing nations.
In the “Associate and Affiliate” category, Ireland had the most candidates, with Trent Johnston and Kevin O’Brien joining Stirling.
Richard Holdsworth, a representative of the ICC, said “I think it’s fantastic for Paul Stirling to be nominated in two separate categories and to be recognised alongside some of the leading emerging players in the Full Members, it proves how far the development of Associate cricket has progressed”.
Stirling was named to Ireland’s World Cup roster of 15, which will compete in Brazil in 2011.
Ireland won two of their six matches, not enough to advance past the group round, but they did conclude on a high note by defeating the Netherlands.
Stirling started the batting with team captain William Porterfield, chasing 307 to win on a batting-friendly track.
When Irish cricketers have been regulars for English counties, demands from both the country and the club have occasionally clashed.
Despite this, Stirling took part in Ireland’s two-match One-Day International series against Pakistan in May. Ireland lost the series 2–0, although Stirling got his first century against a Test nation in the second match.
Stirling’s impact on the team was such that he was one of two Ireland players shortlisted for Associate and Affiliate Player of the Year at the 2011 ICC Awards in August, alongside all-rounder Kevin O’Brien.
He was picked in Ireland’s squad for the 2019 ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier competition in the United Arab Emirates in September of this year.
He was selected vice-captain of the Ireland cricket team in June 2020.
Stirling was picked in Ireland’s 21-man squad to go to England to begin closed-door training for the ODI series against England cricket team on July 10, 2020. Stirling’s 12th century, the most by an Irish cricketer in one-day internationals came in January 2021 during Ireland’s series against Afghanistan.
Stirling was chosen in Ireland’s provisional squad for the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in September 2021.
He was selected vice-captain of the Ireland cricket team in June 2020. Stirling was picked in Ireland’s 21-man squad to go to England to begin training for the ODI series.
Stirling was chosen in Ireland’s provisional squad for the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in September 2021.
How much is Paul Stirling worth in 2021?
Paul Stirling’s net worth is believed to be between $1 million and $3 million dollars. From his initial career as a cricket player, he has amassed a sizable fortune.
He was appointed to Kandahar’s team for the first edition of the Afghanistan Premier League tournament in September 2018.
He was picked in Paarl Rocks’ team for the first Mzansi Super League T20 event the following month.
On January 31, 2020, he signed a contract with Northamptonshire for the 2020 Vitality t20 Blast. In October 2020, he was selected for the inaugration of the Lanka Premier League.
Stirling joined Islamabad United as a replacement player in February 2021.
Paul Stirling quality and team worth
Paul Stirling gives Ireland an attacking start in both 50-over and Twenty20 cricket.
Stirling now has the opportunity to fine-tune his game plan to properly handle the demands of red-ball cricket.
From a chubby 18-year-old he has become the backbone of Ireland’s batting order. Stirling picked up runs against similar opposition as part of the Associate nations. He also showed that he could play with the big boys.
However, the 2011 World Cup was a disappointment for him. He only managed one significant score, 101 against the Netherlands in Kolkata.
In May 2011, he shrugged off the disappointment and scored his first century against a visiting Test side, Pakistan. He is now regarded as one of Ireland’s best batsmen.
With Ireland’s status as a regular Test-playing nation gaining recognition. Players like Stirling to guarantee that the next generation of Irish cricketers have a secure base.
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