Paul Stirling

Away from national duty, Stirling has spent several seasons with Middlesex in English county cricket. That long spell in the English domestic game is seen as useful grounding now that Ireland have been granted Test status, a step that asks him to adjust his methods for the longer, red-ball format.

In his early years he scored heavily against other Associate sides, and he also proved capable of competing with stronger opponents. His 2011 World Cup campaign yielded just one substantial innings, a knock of 101 against the Netherlands in Kolkata. Shortly afterwards, in May 2011, he made his first century against a touring Test nation when Pakistan visited Ireland. His standing grew steadily from there, and he has come to be counted among the best batsmen Ireland has produced.

His one-day record underlines his value: across 97 ODIs he passed fifty on 23 occasions, a rate that compares well with leading openers of his generation. The weakness in his game has been at the start of an innings, with nine ducks in those 97 matches. As Ireland settle into life as a Test-playing country, experienced players such as Stirling are expected to help lay solid foundations for the cricketers who follow.