Paul Stirling to put bowling options on trial in three-match T20 series against Pakistan
Curtis Campher during an Ireland men’s T20 squad training session at Castle Avenue in Dublin. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Paul Stirling will be taking the chance to fine-tune his seam bowling options for next month’s T20 World Cup when Ireland take on Pakistan at Clontarf today in the first of a three-match series.
With the pitch at Castle Avenue likely to favour the quicker bowlers, and star paceman Josh Little still on IPL duty and not due to join up with the squad for two weeks, the Ireland white-ball captain will be able to assess the form of his other seamers.
“When one door closes another one or two open up,” Stirling said. “Josh not being available gives an opportunity to another bowler, and we haven’t seen the conditions yet but there’s every chance there will be a bit of grass on the pitch to assist them.
“We’re at the right time out from our first World Cup game against India [in 25 days] to still have that choice because once we get into the next series in Amsterdam, we’ll want to be fairly settled on what’s our best 12.”
As he works out the best combinations, Stirling hasn’t ruled out filling in with a few overs of off-spin himself – something he has seemed reluctant to do since becoming captain.
“It’s not something I’m ruling out,” he said. “I seem to get overs when I play for other teams on a semi-regular basis, but T20 has progressed so much that right-arm finger spin does tend to go the distance, these days.
“It’s an option but we’ve also got Harry Tector who is a good foot taller than me and puts more revs on the ball so my skills may be to jam in a few wide yorkers.”
Ireland are scheduled to meet Pakistan again in their final World Cup group match (after clashes with India, Canada and their hosts USA) and the experience of today and the two following games on Sunday and Tuesday could prove invaluable.
“There are a number of advantages to be playing a team we’re going to meet in the tournament, and we’ll be looking to take in as much information on board as we can over the next week,” Stirling said.
“If a bowler seems to have the wood over a really good Pakistan batter it won’t harm us that he gets them out two or three times in this series, and vice versa with the bat, and we can get a little bit of momentum and a good feel going forward.”
Ireland v Pakistan
Live, TNT Sports 1, 2.45
