 Paul Stirling is hoping to play against Bangladesh and India |
Belfast schoolboy Paul Stirling has been included in Ireland's squad for the ICC World Twenty20 competition.
Stirling and Jeremy Bray replace Andrew Poynter and Eoin Morgan in the only changes from the panel which recently won the World Cup Qualifying Trophy.
Ireland have been drawn in Group A and face Bangladesh on 8 June and India two days later, both at Trent Bridge.
"My 'A' levels finish on 4 June so I may miss some warm-up games but am free for the tournament," said Stirling.
"I am looking forward to playing against some of the world's greatest players."
Ireland coach Phil Simmons explained why Belfast High student Stirling had been included.
"Paul has been in such good form in the Friends Provident Trophy, with two exceptional knocks," he said.
"It is not just been the fact that he has scored runs, but the manner in which he has played.
"He has been confident, powerful and dominant and it is hard to believe that innings of such maturity come from one so young.
"He looks the part and has a great attitude to the game which will stand him in good stead in years to come."
Simmons revealed that Andre Botha will undergo a fitness test as he continues to recover from a damaged ankle.
He said Botha would not bowl in the Twenty20 but hoped he would make a major contribution with the bat.
Ireland squad: W Porterfield (capt), A Botha, J Bray, P Connell, A Cusack, T Johnston, K McCallan, J Mooney, K O'Brien, N O'Brien, B Rankin, P Stirling, R West, A White, G Wilson.
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