Andrew Balbirnie facts for kids
Balbirnie in 2022
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| Full name |
Andrew Balbirnie
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| Born | 28 December 1990 Dublin, Ireland |
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| Batting | Right-handed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling | Right-arm off break | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Role | Batsman | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National side |
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| Test debut (cap 2) | 11 May 2018 v Pakistan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Test | 25 July 2024 v Zimbabwe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ODI debut (cap 35) | 5 July 2010 v Scotland | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last ODI | 7 October 2024 v South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ODI shirt no. | 63 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| T20I debut (cap 35) | 19 June 2015 v Scotland | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last T20I | 16 June 2024 v Pakistan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| T20I shirt no. | 63 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic team information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011–2015 | Middlesex (squad no. 15) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011–2013 | Cardiff MCCU | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013–present | Leinster Lightning | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020–2021 | Glamorgan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | Khulna Titans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: ESPNcricinfo, 18 December 2024
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Andrew Balbirnie (born December 28, 1990) is an Irish cricket player. He was born in Dublin, Ireland. He is a right-handed batsman and sometimes plays as a wicket-keeper. Andrew is currently the captain of the Ireland cricket team for Test matches.
He was one of the first 11 cricketers to play in Ireland's very first Test match in May 2018. This historic game was against Pakistan. In late 2019, Andrew took over as captain for Ireland's Test, ODI, and T20I teams. He replaced William Porterfield and Gary Wilson.
Contents
Early Cricket Days
Andrew Balbirnie started playing cricket at a young age. He represented Ireland in youth tournaments.
Leading the Youth Team
In 2009, Andrew was the captain of Ireland's Under-19 team. They won a special tournament called the 2010 U-19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier. This win allowed the Ireland Under-19 team to play in the 2010 U-19 Cricket World Cup.
Playing for Clubs
Andrew has also played for different cricket clubs.
- In 2017, he scored his first "first-class" century. A first-class match is the highest level of domestic cricket.
- He was a top run-scorer in the 2018 Inter-Provincial Trophy and 2018 Inter-Provincial Championship tournaments. These are important domestic competitions in Ireland.
International Cricket Career
Andrew Balbirnie has played for the senior Ireland cricket team for many years.
Early International Matches
- In 2010, he was part of the Ireland team that won the 2010 ICC World Cricket League Division One.
- He made his ODI debut against Scotland during this tournament.
- In 2015, Andrew was chosen to be in Ireland's squad for the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
- He played his first T20I match in June 2015, also against Scotland.
- He was also part of the Ireland squad for the 2016 T20 World Cup.
Test Match Debut
- May 2018 was a big moment for Irish cricket. Andrew was named in the squad for Ireland's first ever Test match.
- He made his Test debut on May 11, 2018, against Pakistan.
Becoming Captain
- In November 2019, Andrew Balbirnie was chosen to be the captain of Ireland's Test, ODI, and T20I teams. This meant he led Ireland in all three main types of international cricket.
Key Achievements as Captain
- On July 10, 2020, Andrew scored his 2,000th run in ODI cricket. This happened during a series against the England cricket team.
- On July 13, 2021, he led Ireland to their first ever ODI win against South Africa. In that match, he scored 102 runs, which was his seventh ODI century.
- In October 2022, Andrew scored a half-century (62 runs) in a T20I match. This helped Ireland win against England in the 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
- In March 2024, Andrew led Ireland to their first ever win in Test cricket. They beat Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. Andrew scored 50 runs without being out in that important match.
- In May 2024, he was selected for Ireland's squad for the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
Stepping Down from Limited-Overs Captaincy
- On July 4, 2023, Andrew decided to step down as captain for the limited-overs cricket teams (ODI and T20I). This decision came after Ireland did not qualify for the 2023 Cricket World Cup. He continues to captain the Test team.
