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Tim Murtagh and Paul Stirling have been withdrawn by Cricket Ireland from their acclimatisation tour of Australia and New Zealand due to injury. Murtagh has an ongoing knee injury, while Paul Stirling hasn’t recovered from his back problem suffered earlier in the month.
“Tim has played the county season with patella tendinopathy which is treated daily,” said Cricket Ireland Performance Director Richard Holdsworth. “It has been getting progressively worse over the last six weeks although he has played through the pain barrier.

“He now requires rest and treatment to get him fit and healthy for consideration in our World Cup plans, and will remain at home and receive treatment from his Middlesex CCC physiotherapist.”

Murtagh had been scheduled to travel today to Australia, following a gruelling end to the county season where he helped Middlesex avoid relegation from Division One, bowling 527.4 overs and taking 58 wickets at an average of 28.38.

Murtagh’s Middlesex colleague Paul Stirling has also been withdrawn from the touring party. “Paul Stirling has not recovered from his back injury and is receiving treatment on this and will not take any part in the tour,” said Holdsworth. “Neither player will be replaced with Ireland having 16 players in Australia already.”

Ireland Head Coach Phil Simmons was philosophical about the double blow saying: “While it’s obviously disappointing to lose players of the calibre of Tim and Paul for the trip, this gives more opportunity to the current squad to play more matches and put their hands up for consideration in the final 15 for the World Cup.

“We have eight games down here which will give everybody plenty of cricket to make their case for inclusion.”

The first match of Ireland’s acclimatisation tour is tomorrow (Tuesday) with the first of two matches against Queensland Bulls.

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