Ireland's Stormont Test will fulfil Stirling dream

Paul Stirling admits for much of his career that the notion of a Test match taking place in his home city appeared fanciful

Ireland v Zimbabwe - Test Match

Venue: Stormont, Belfast Dates: 25-29 July Times: 11:00 BST

Coverage: Live text commentary with in-play clips and match report on BBC Sport website & app

Paul Stirling says Ireland's Test match at Stormont against Zimbabwe which starts on Thursday will fulfil a dream he had in his back garden in Belfast as a 12-year-old.

This week's contest will be the first time the Belfast ground has hosted a Test match.

It will be only the second occasion a Test has taken place on the island of Ireland and Irish cricket has a real sense of expectancy after the men's side clinched their first victory in cricket's long format at the eighth attempt when beating Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi in March.

"I dreamed as a 12-year-old in the back garden thinking you were going to play Test cricket and Stormont would have been the place," said a reflective Stirling on Tuesday.

"To get out there and finally do it…..yeah it’s a real special occasion for myself and everyone involved with Irish cricket."

Stirling admits that for much of his career, the notion of a Test match taking place in his home city appeared fanciful.

"No is probably the short answer. . just to be able to play Test cricket full stop is a real privilege.

"To play it in your home ground, I certainly consider it as my home ground, is a privilege and honour. I’m looking forward to getting out there this week and it will be a fantastic spectacle."

Ireland's first men's Test took place at Malahide in Dublin six years ago when Kevin O'Brien's century helped the Irish produce a creditable display before Pakistan clinched a five-wicket win.

The Irish men lost their next six Tests which took place at irregular intervals over the next six years - with the Covid-19 pandemic not helping the situation - and there were a few chastening sessions before victory was theirs against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates four months ago.

"There’s certainly been a couple of very tough days….England at Lord’s the last time (2023) and in Galle in Sri Lanka where they put on the runs like you wouldn’t believe (after Ireland had scored 492 in their first innings).

"A couple of tough days but I think the rest has been really impressive. To win your first Test match within seven or eight games. To put that into context that has been maybe one of the quickest."

Stirling (right) says there are "four to six Test matches possibly in the pipeline" for Ireland in 2025

Stirling is optimistic that the rate of Ireland's Test matches is going to speed up appreciably - perhaps even as soon as next year.

"A couple of things just need to fall into place. In the pipeline for next year, there are possibly four to six matches there already.

"I don’t think that’s terribly far away. Funding is always part of the issue."

But that's for another day.

In the meantime, all the squad's attentions are focused on taking on a Zimbabwe side which sits one place above Ireland in the Test rankings in 10th position.

The Chevrons have not played a Test since February last year when they were beaten 1-0 by West Indies in a two-game series in Bulawayo and their last victory in the long format came against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi three years ago.

Full in the knowledge that rain has ruined many an Irish cricket occasion, Stirling joked that he has "15 weather apps" on his phone to check the forecast for this week.

"We’re prepared to go on and off [the field]. Sometimes it interrupts your flow as a batsman and suits the bowlers a little bit but we’re ready and used to that.

"I think it’s going to be sunny spells with lots of cloud around and hopefully no snow!"