T20 World Cup: skipper Stirling ruled out of Ireland's campaign
The Belfast man has suffered a knee injury
Ireland's captain Paul Stirling will miss the rest of the Men’s T20 World Cup campaign.
It follows an assessment on a knee injury sustained in Ireland's match with Australia.
He will now be replaced by young Co Antrim man Sam Topping.
Belfast-born Stirling was fielding at cover in the seventh over of the first innings when he dived high to his right to take a spectacular catch to dismiss Josh Inglis.
However, as he came down, he landed on the point of his knee on an area of hard ground.
Shortly after he left the field and vice-captain Lorcan Tucker took over on-field leadership duties.
Graeme West, Director of High Performance at Cricket Ireland, said:
“Paul Stirling underwent an assessment and a scan after the Australian match which has subsequently revealed ligament damage – as such, he has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup. Paul will shortly return home for rest and rehabilitation, ahead of the home summer.
“To replace Paul, we have called up Sam Topping, who is able to provide immediate cover as he is a short flight away in Chennai. Sam has been with the Northern Knights training squad and has been playing and training in similar conditions to Sri Lanka. The skill set he offers provides cover across a number of areas within the squad, which is important as Ben Calitz is also carrying a knock to his hand after the last match.”
Topping. a 20-year old left-handed opener is currently in Chennai at an off-season training camp with the Northern Knights training squad.
He is currently uncapped at international level.