Injured Stirling out of Ireland-New Zealand Test

Breaking news from the world of sport: Injured Stirling out of Ireland-New Zealand TestImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Paul Stirling has played in 10 of Ireland's 12 Test matchesByTimothy AbrahamBBC Sport JournalistPublished15 minutes agoExperienced batter Paul Stirling has been ruled out of Ireland's one-off Test against New Zealand at Stormont next week beacause of a calf injury. Stirling briefly fielded in this week's Emerald Challenge - a 'best of the best' first-class red-ball fixture for Ireland's men to prepare for the Test. But the 35-year-old was not considered fit enough to bat in the four-day match and it is anticipated he could be out until the start of July.

Stirling has not batted since he suffered a knee ligament injury in Ireland's defeat by Australia at the T20 World Cup in February "Paul had a scan yesterday. He has a grade two strain and his return to playing will be determined," said Ireland coach Henrich Malan. "He obviously got injured at the World Cup, he's been on a return to play plan and it hasn't necessarily worked out 100% for him with a couple of niggles that's been lingering in and around that knee injury, which was obviously quite severe.

Match Details

"Hopefully this one can be rehabbed properly. But it could be a four to five week job to ensure that he's fully fit and ready to go for the rest of the summer. "Leg-spinning all-rounder Gavin Hoey is unavailable because of a side strain while seamer Barry McCarthy misses our with a knee ligament injury.

All-rounder Curtis Campher will play as a batter against the Kiwis. Ireland must 'enjoy occasion' against New Zealand - Balbirnie Around 75% of the tickets have been sold for each of the first two days of the match at Stormont, which will have a capacity of around 1,500 for the fixture. The Test is Ireland's first on home soil since a four-wicket win over Zimbabwe at the same venue in July 2024.

Ireland Test captain Andrew Balbirnie said the match presents a "great opportunity" for his side even though they play Test cricket so infrequently. "Any time you play New Zealand in whatever format, you know, it's going to be tough," he said. "We're not going to put any sort of pressure on our guys.

Reactions and Expectations

I think we just want them to go out and enjoy the occasion and express themselves and adapt as quickly as they can. "There will be times we will be under pressure throughout the game. It's just hoping that the guys come out with a positive attitude towards that pressure.

"First-class ecosystem essential for WTCThis Test will be Ireland's 13th in the format since they were made a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in June 2017. Given their players have had just one warm-up game, Balbirnie acknowledged his side are not really "ready" when their preparation is "compared to other Test nations". He added: "You can't really beat around the bush there.

"We've guys making their first-class debut this week who are going to be arguably playing the Test match next week. That doesn't happen around the world.

Clubs and federations are monitoring the development, which could have lasting consequences.