Over the years, the Irish cricket team has continuously progressed on the international stage and can beat any team in the world on their day. Ireland's exponential growth as a cricket team is all due to the kind of talented and skilled cricketers they have been producing, especially in the shorter forms of the game. Therefore, today we will list some of Ireland's longest-serving cricketers in the shortest format of the game, i.e., Twenty-20 (T20) cricket.
1. Paul Stirling
Paul Stirling is an explosive and attacking right-handed opening batter from Belfast. Stirling is best known for his effortless hitting and striking capabilities. He is also an occasional wicketkeeper who made his T20I debut in 2009 against Pakistan. Until 2022, he played in 114 matches, scoring 3011 runs at an average of 28.67.
2. Kevin O’Brien
Next on the list is Irish cricket legend and veteran, Kevin O’Brien. Kevin played as a right-handed batter and bowled right-arm medium pace. He is also a former Ireland captain and began his T20I career in 2008 against Scotland in Belfast. Before retiring in 2021, he played in 110 matches, scored close to 2000 runs, and took 58 wickets.
3. George Dockrell
George Dockrell, the slow left-arm orthodox bowler and a right-handed batter from Dublin, is next on the list. Dockrell started his T20 international career in 2010 against Afghanistan in Colombo. Until 2022, he played for Ireland in 105 T20Is, with 80 wickets and 695 runs to his name.
4. Gary Wilson
Gary Wilson was a right-handed wicketkeeper batter from Dundonald, Northern Ireland. Wilson played his first T20 international in 2008 against Scotland in Belfast. Then he played for Ireland in T20Is until 2020 and featured in 81 matches. He scored 1268 runs at an average of 21.13 and had 47 dismissals to his name.
5. Andy Balbirine
Next, we have Ireland’s current white-ball captain and a right-handed top-order batter from Dublin, Andy Balbirine. Andy was first seen in T20 internationals in 2015 against Scotland at Bready. Since then, he has played in 79 T20Is, scoring 1657 runs at an average of 23.33 with seven fifties to his name.
6. William Porterfield
A former Ireland captain and a left-handed batter from Londonderry, William Porterfield, is next to feature on the list. William started playing T20I cricket for Ireland in 2008 when he first played against Scotland at Belfast. Until 2018, he played in 61 matches and scored 1079 runs, with three fifties to his name.
7. Craig Young
Craig Young is one of the few fast-bowlers to feature on this list. Craig bowls right-arm fast medium and played his first T20 international in 2015 against Scotland at Bready. Since then, he has featured in 53 matches for Ireland and has picked up 55 wickets at an average of 24.83.
8. Mark Adair
Next on the list is Mark Adair, a right-arm fast medium bowler and a right-handed lower-order batter from Holywood, Northern Ireland. He began his T20I career in 2019 against Zimbabwe at Bready. In 51 matches that he has played in so far, he has taken 72 wickets at an impressive average of 19.11 and an economy of 7.60.
9. Gareth Delany
Gareth Delany is a batting all-rounder for Ireland in T20I cricket and hails from Dublin. Delany bats as a right-handed middle-order batter and bowls right-arm leg spin. In 2019, he made his T20 international debut against Zimbabwe at Bready. Until 2022, he has played in 49 T20Is and has scored 733 runs and picked up 29 wickets.
10. Simi Singh
Simi Singh, an Indian-origin guy born in Punjab, is next on the list. Simi is a right-arm off-break bowler and a handy right-handed lower-order batter for Ireland in T20I cricket. Since 2018, he has featured in 49 T20Is and has scored 289 runs and picked up 41 wickets at an average of 27.97.
