Paul Stirling Creates History – First Ireland Cricketer to Reach 10,000 International Runs!
In a monumental achievement for Irish cricket, Paul Stirling has etched his name in the history books by becoming the first Ireland cricketer to score 10,000 runs in international cricket. The milestone was reached during the first ODI against West Indies, where Stirling slammed a composed fifty and brought up his landmark with his 37th run of the innings. He eventually scored 54 runs, marking his 57th international half-century.
🔹 10,000-Run Milestone
Stirling, who made his international debut back in 2008 against New Zealand, has been the backbone of Ireland’s batting unit across formats. With this feat, he becomes the 97th player in the history of international cricket to breach the 10,000-run mark — a testament to his consistency and longevity at the top level.
🔹 Most Runs for Ireland (All Formats Combined)
- Paul Stirling – 10,000+ runs
- Andrew Balbirnie – 6055
- Kevin O’Brien – 5850
- William Porterfield – 5480
- Harry Tector – 3732
🔹 Career Highlights
- Debut: ODI (2008), T20I (2009), Test (2018)
- International Centuries: 16
- Role: Right-handed opening batter
- Known For: Aggressive stroke play, leadership, and consistency across formats
🔹 Legacy in the Making
Stirling’s journey from a promising teenager to Ireland’s most prolific batter is nothing short of inspirational. Whether it’s white-ball aggression or red-ball grit, he’s shown immense versatility. His partnership with Andrew Balbirnie at the top continues to shape Ireland’s batting future, while youngsters like Harry Tector look up to him as a mentor and trailblazer.
As Ireland continues to rise in international cricket, Stirling’s landmark serves as a massive morale booster and a reminder of how far Irish cricket has come.
What’s Next?
With more ODIs and T20Is lined up against the West Indies, Stirling has the opportunity to further extend his record and inspire the next generation of Irish cricketers.
