Ireland batsman Paul Stirling is keen to return to cricketing action after a long COVID-19 caused the shutdown, as well as, is optimistic about England tour will go ahead behind closed doors.
Originally, Ireland's three-match One Day International (ODI) series was scheduled for September in England, but now the series is likely to be played in a short window later this July under strict health protocols and bio-secure atmosphere with players and support staff from both sides staying in the on-site hotel at Hampshire's Ageas Bowl.
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Well, Ireland's all-time leading run-scorer Stirling is hoping to get “date for a return to matches” as soon as possible in order to give him touch to his batting after more than 10 weeks lockdown in Belfast.
Stirling told ESPNcricinfo, “I'd love it to go ahead. I think there's obviously still going to be risks involved no matter what, but it's [about] limiting those risks. Having a set date for a return to matches is helpful to the lads over here. If that's, say, the end of July, it gives us something to look forward to and train towards, whereas at the minute you're getting cancellations all the time, so there's nothing on the horizon.”
He continued, “You're getting up each morning with nothing much to train for apart from your own personal satisfaction. It would be nice to get something actually penciled in there. If there was a date where we had three games lined up against England, it would ease a lot of that mental pressure.
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As long as the safety precautions are there, I can't see why [the series wouldn't happen]. Hopefully, by the time the two boards get together and make a decision, everything will have been taken into account. Everyone is in a different scenario. I think it's going to be an individual choice: I'd love to get back out there, but I think you can understand anyone else's point of view if they're a bit more skeptical. I think it's just that clarity from Cricket Ireland for us.”
Meanwhile, England is expected to name separate squads for red-ball and white-ball training, which means some first-choice players could be missing Ireland ODIs if the series does go ahead.
Stirling doesn’t want to think about England squad, as Ireland's entire home summer has already been wiped out due to COVID-19 pandemic, so if they get any cricket this year, it would be great for them to build up and prepare for the next World Cup qualification.
He further added, “Whatever team they put out, we know it'll be a strong one. They've probably got as good a second XI [as anyone], and some serious young talent coming through that haven't even been capped because of the World Cup cycle.”
The Irish batsman signed off by saying, “I think cricket might be slightly secondary from that point of view - once we get out there, it'll be almost trying to put on a show. We're just trying to build up and get back out there. They're going to be the first few games of the next World Cup qualification process too [via the ODI Super League] so I suppose that will add a little bit more onto it.”
(With ESPNcricinfo Inputs)
