Balbirnie steps down as Ireland ODI and T20I captain
Every week after Ireland did not qualify for the 2023 World Cup, their captain Andy Balbirnie has stepped down from his put up in limited-overs cricket.
“After much thought and consideration, I have made the decision to step down as ODI and T20I captain,” he stated on Tuesday in a Cricket Ireland press launch. “It has been one of my great honours to lead this team over the last few years and I am hugely grateful for all the support I received on and off the pitch from the many players, coaches, Cricket Ireland and supporters of the Ireland team.”
Paul Stirling will take command of the limited-overs groups however solely till the top of the ODI sequence towards England in September, with Balbirnie including he’ll stay out there for choice. “I feel this is the right time for me, but more importantly the team. I will continue to do my best for this team and work hard to contribute towards what I hope will be a successful period over the next number of years.”
Ireland received three of six matches on the Qualifier and finished seventh in a 10-team event. All of their victories got here after they had been knocked out of rivalry for the World Cup, towards USA, UAE and Nepal.
Their subsequent task is the T20 World Cup European Qualfiers which start on July 20, adopted by a three-match T20I sequence at residence towards India in August and that three-match ODI sequence away towards England in September.
Balbirnie led Ireland 89 instances (4 Tests, 33 ODIs, 52 T20Is) throughout codecs since taking up the reins in late 2019. He stays the captain of their Test aspect.
“Andrew has been an exceptionally dedicated leader during his time in charge,” Richard Holdsworth, High Performance Director at Cricket Ireland, stated. “He managed through the Covid-19 pandemic, a transition of coach from Graham Ford to Heinrich Malan – and not forgetting the brief stint with interim coach David Ripley that ended with a memorable series victory over the West Indies. When I reflect on the tenacity of the squad under Andrew, I think back to the T20 World Cup Qualification campaign in 2022, then on to the tournament proper with wins over Scotland, West Indies and, after all, England.
“But it was the Covid years when he actually displayed his capability to galvanise his gamers and maintain them focussed on the job at hand, and for that, we’re grateful to him for his unstinting dedication.”