Paul Stirling Ruled Out Of T20 World Cup 2026; Ireland Announce Replacement

Paul Stirling [Source: AFP]

In a major setback for Ireland, captain Paul Stirling has been ruled out of the rest of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup due to a knee injury. This news comes as a big disappointment for the team, especially since the tournament is still ongoing and Ireland were hoping to bounce back from recent defeats.

It is important to note that Stirling suffered ligament damage to his right knee during Ireland’s 67-run loss to Australia national cricket team on Wednesday. Cricket Ireland has announced Sam Topping as Paul Stirling's replacement for the T20 World Cup. 

As a result, he will not be able to take any further part in the competition. His absence is expected to affect the team both on and off the field, as he is not only a key player but also the captain.

What happened to Paul Stirling?

The injury occurred during Ireland’s match against Australia in Colombo. Early in the game, Paul Stirling hurt his right knee while completing a catch in the field. Although he felt discomfort, he continued to stay involved in the match. However, the situation became worse later on.

When Ireland began their chase, Stirling came out to bat as an opening batter despite the pain in his knee. Unfortunately, while attempting a quick single, he aggravated the injury further. Eventually, the pain became too much, and he was forced to retire hurt. This added to Ireland’s struggles, as they went on to suffer their second straight defeat in the tournament.

Following the match, Stirling was sent for medical scans to assess the damage. The results confirmed ligament damage in his knee, which means he will need time to recover. Because of the seriousness of the injury, he has officially been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.

Paul Stirling's replacement approved by technical committee

After Stirling was ruled out, a replacement player needed to be officially approved. According to tournament rules, any change to a squad must first receive permission from the Event Technical Committee.

The Event Technical Committee of the T20 World Cup has approved Sam Topping as Stirling’s replacement in Ireland’s 15-player squad. Sam Topping, who has not yet played international cricket for Ireland, will join the squad with immediate effect.

Who Is Sam Topping?

Sam Topping is a left-handed opening batter. Although he is uncapped at senior international level, he has shown promise in domestic and A-team cricket. Last year, he played for Ireland A in a four-day match against Afghanistan A in Abu Dhabi. 

Therefore, while he may lack international experience, he has already been part of Ireland’s development system.

Meanwhile, Ireland will look to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next match against Oman in Colombo on Saturday.

Updated Ireland squad for T20 World Cup:  

Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Sam Topping, Ben White, Craig Young