Ireland’s skipper in limited-overs cricket, Andy Balbirnie, has resigned a week after his team was unable to for the 2023 World Cup.

According to a press release from Cricket Ireland on Tuesday, “I have decided to step down as ODI and T20I captain, after much thought and consideration.” “I am extremely grateful for all the support I received on and off the field from the many players, coaches, Cricket Ireland, and supporters of the Ireland team. It has been one of my great honors to lead this team over the last few years.”

The limited-overs sides will be under Paul Stirling’s leadership, but only through the conclusion of the ODI series against England in September, according to Balbirnie, who also added that Stirling will still be eligible for selection. “I believe that now is the ideal time for both the team and myself. I’ll keep giving this team my all and work hard to help contribute to what I believe will be a prosperous time over the next years.

Ireland finished seventh in a competition of 10 teams after winning three of its six games. All of their victories over the USA, UAE, and Nepal occurred after they were eliminated from World Cup contention.

The T20 World Cup European Qualifiers are their next assignment and they start on July 20. After that, they have a three-match T20I series against India at home in August and a three-match ODI series against England on the road in September.

Since taking over in late 2019, Balbirnie has commanded Ireland 89 times (four Tests, 33 ODIs, and 52 T20Is) in all forms. He continues to lead their Test team as captain.

“Andrew has been an exceptionally dedicated leader during his time in charge,” said Richard Holdsworth, Cricket Ireland’s High Performance Director. The Covid-19 pandemic, a coaching change from Graham Ford to Heinrich Malan, and not to mention the brief period with interim coach David Ripley that culminated in a remarkable series triumph over the West Indies, were all things that he managed to go through. When I think about the team’s perseverance under Andrew, I recall the T20 World Cup Qualification campaign in 2022 and the subsequent victories over Scotland, the West Indies, and, of course, England in the actual event.

We are grateful to him for his unwavering commitment since it is when he really showed off his ability to inspire his players and keep them focused on the task at hand during the Covid era.