Ireland Cricket Team

Key Details

• Captain: Paul Stirling
• Head Coach: Heinrich Malan
• T20 World Cup Debut Year: 2009
• Best Finish in T20 World Cup: Super 8 (2009)

Ireland Team Bio

The Ireland men’s cricket team, governed by Cricket Ireland, has established itself as one of the leading Associate nations in limited-overs cricket since gaining prominence in the mid-2000s. In T20Is, Ireland made their debut in 2008 and qualified for their first T20 World Cup in 2009 by winning the qualifier, advancing to the Super 8 stage—a milestone that included competitive showings against top teams.

They have since featured in every edition, showcasing explosive batting from stalwarts like Paul Stirling (the team’s all-time leading T20I run-scorer) and a potent pace attack led by Josh Little and Mark Adair. Under Heinrich Malan’s coaching, the side blends experience with emerging talent, emphasising aggressive play and fielding intensity.

Recent successes include upsets over Full Members and strong performances in qualifiers. For the 2026 tournament in Sri Lanka and India, Ireland, placed in a challenging Group B, rely on Stirling’s leadership and Lorcan Tucker’s vice-captaincy to navigate tough opponents. With a mix of spin options and all-round depth, the team targets a deep run, aiming to surpass past performances and inspire growth in Irish cricket amid rising global standards.

Ireland squad for T20 World Cup 2026

Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young

Ireland schedule for T20 World Cup 2026