Pretoria Capitals (PC) have suffered a heavy blow in the ongoing SA20 2024. Ireland’s star opening batsman Paul Stirling has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament after suffering a calf injury.
Paul Stirling suffered a calf injury ahead of Pretoria Capitals’ match against Durban Super Giants. The batsman was injured during training and was deemed unfit to play in the next part of SA20 2024.
Pretoria Capitals confirmed the development on their Twitter account on Monday (January 29). The franchise also wished the batsman a speedy recovery. On their Twitter account, the team explained:
“Irish top-order batsman Paul Stirling has suffered a calf injury that will rule him out of the rest of the tournament. The Pretoria Capitals family wishes him a speedy recovery.”
UPDATE.
Irish top-order batsman Paul Stirling has suffered a calf injury that will rule him out of the rest of the tournament. The Pretoria Capitals family wishes him a speedy recovery. #RoarSaamMás #SA20 pic.twitter.com/Kqj17ZB0IR
– Pretoria Capitals (@PretoriaCapsSA) January 29, 2024
Paul Stirling did not play a single match in the tournament, but could have proven to be the best backup to the openers with Will Jacks and Philip Salt. The Ireland captain has a wealth of experience in T20 cricket and has been a veteran of the format.
Paul Stirling has played 340 T20s in his career so far and has scored 8191 runs at a strike rate of over 141, along with three centuries and 52 half-centuries. In Ireland’s 134 T20Is, he has scored 3439 runs to his name and is one of the highest run-getters in international cricket in this format.
Paul Stirling’s absence for the remainder of the season marks Pretoria Capitals’ second injury in the league. Earlier, New Zealand all-rounder James Neesham was ruled out of the tournament after getting injured during a match against Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
James Neesham did not have a great performance in SA20 2024 as he scored 80 runs in 6 matches at an average of 13.33. He also picked 4 wickets at an economy rate of 9.45 and an average of 16.50. In his place, Pretoria Capitals named all-rounder Jacques Snyman as a replacement.
Pretoria Capitals replace Paul Stirling with Colin Ackermann for remainder of SA20 2024
In place of Paul Stirling, Pretoria Capitals have acquired the services of South African-born Dutch all-rounder Colin Ackermann. This will be a great addition to the team for the rest of the season as he will provide great balance to the team with both bat and ball.
The franchise confirmed the development on its Twitter account. They stated: “South African-born Dutch all-rounder Colin Ackermann has joined the Pretoria Capitals as a replacement for Paul Stirling. Pitori, give him a warm welcome.”
South African-born Dutch all-rounder Colin Ackermann has joined the Pretoria Capitals as a replacement for Paul Stirling. 🙌
Pitori, give him a warm welcome. 💙#RoarSaamMore #SA20 pic.twitter.com/LrLrv5k9Vn
– Pretoria Capitals (@PretoriaCapsSA) January 29, 2024
Pretoria Capitals are having a torrid run in the ongoing SA20 2024. They have won only two games of the 7 they have played. They currently sit in fourth place in the points table and still have a chance to qualify for the playoffs. They would hope to win the remaining games and defend their position in the tournament. The next time they will be seen in action will be when they take on the Durban Super Giants on Tuesday (January 30) in Durban.