Ireland name Andrew Poynter as replacement for injured Paul Stirling

Andrew Poynter’s inclusion has been approved by ICC’s Event Technical Committee

Ireland has roped in right-handed batsman Andrew Poynter as Paul Stirling’s replacement, ESPN Cricinfo has reported. The 28-year-old’s inclusion in the World T20 Qualifier has been approved by the ICC’s Event Technical Committee and he can now take part in the third-place playoff against Hong Kong on Sunday.

Stirling suffered an acute partial tear on the right Achilles tendon and played through the pain in Ireland’s five-wicket loss against Netherlands in the semi-final. But the all-rounder will not be taking any further part in the tournament and is also a major doubt for the ODI against Australia on August 27.

The experienced all-rounder had a less than impressive World T20 Qualifier tournament, scoring 146 runs in seven matches at an average of 20.85, with one half-century, while picking up four wickets.

Any replacement due to injury or illness at an ICC event requires approval by its Technical Committee. A request has to be submitted in writing to the ICC appointed committee along with a diagnosis from a medical practitioner as to the extent of the injury/illness.

The six-member panel for the World Twenty20 Qualifier, comprising of Geoff Allardice, Chris Tetley, Warren Deutrom, Euan Mcintyre, Dominic Cork and Pommie Mbangwa, has approved the replacement on obvious grounds.

Poynter has played 14 T20s for Ireland so far scoring 452 runs at an average of 21.88.