A Successful Summer for Paul Stirling
Paul Stirling smashed a magnificent century to inspire Ireland to a 75-run victory over the Netherlands in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Toronto and was presented with the MOM award. Paul hit 102 off 117 balls as Ireland, batting first, scored an impressive 254-5 against the Netherlands. Paul said “I am just happy we got the win to be honest. It was hard early on but we managed to keep wickets in hands and make a big score. We thought 250 was well above par. Our aim is to just keep winning and make the qualifier.”
Paul, who has just completed his A levels, displayed his international potential during the Ireland senior side’s three-run defeat to England at Stormont last Thursday, with a sparkling 30 off just 26 balls. He then joined the U19 squad for Friday’s flight to Canada and admitted that despite a huge week he couldn’t wait for the action to start. “I am very much looking forward to the tournament. I haven’t played against a lot of these teams before so it will be a great experience to play against the other sides that have qualified. It has been a pretty hectic few months for me and it was tricky to fly the day after playing against England. It was disappointing to lose that game but that match has gone and I am focusing on this event now,” he said.
Paul, who is expected to be one of the players of the tournament, believes that Ireland has a talented side and that many of the squad will be using the event to try and further their own claims at senior level, particularly as Irish coach Phil Simmons will be in attendance at the event. “It is key for Irish cricket to take part in big tournaments and if we play in these events it does give more publicity to young players coming through. It is especially massive for our players as you see the young players are being given their opportunities in Ireland in the senior team, so everybody knows if they play well they are putting their names into the senior squads as well. It is important for them and Irish cricket. The aim for every single person in our squad has to be to play at the World Cup in 2011 and that is what they are all looking to achieve. If they score runs in a major tournament like this then they are definitely putting their name in the shop window to the likes of Phil Simmons. He has given opportunities to young players before, especially in Associate cricket, and encourages players to make the top.”
