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James McCollum

Test matches: a history

Results to date...

Men's Test matches

Tests played: 11

  • Ireland won: 3
  • Ireland lost: 8
  • Draws: 0

Last Test played: v Bangladesh, 2025

women's test matches

Tests played: 1

  • Ireland won: 1
  • Ireland lost: 0
  • Draws: 0

Last Test played: v Pakistan, 2000

Test matches

2025

IRELAND MEN v BANGLADESH MEN
Test #11 -- 11-14 November 2025, Sylhet

Coming into the Test off three wins in a row in this format, Ireland flared in "bursts", but couldn't match their subcontinent opponents, losing by an innings and 47 runs.

Ireland won the toss and elected to bat on a track that was expected to dry out and become more spin-friendly as the Test progressed.

Paul Stirling (60) and debutant Cade Carmichael (59) began solidly after the early loss of Andrew Balbirnie (0), but wickets began to fall in the middle session of Day One. Curtis Campher (44) and Lorcan Tucker (41) got starts, and debutant Jordan Neill (30) an Barry McCarthy (31) added late runs, but the visitors were bowled out for 286 early on Day Two.

Bangladesh then put on a masterclass of batting in home conditions, racking up 587-8 declared. While most bowlers shared the brunt of the Bangladeshi batting display, Matthew Humphreys was a shining light, taking 5-170 (his second Test 5-fer in 2025).

Despite Stirling's 43, the top and middle order collapsed late on Day 3, leaving Ireland at 86-5 with a 215 run deficit.

Day 4, however, took on a different complexion as Andy McBrine (52), Balbirnie (38), Jordan Neill (36) and Barry McCarthy (25) pushed the game well into the second session before the final wicket was lost.

FULL SCORECARD: See here

IRELAND MEN v ZIMBABWE MEN
Test #10 -- 6-10 February 2025, Bulawayo

From the moment that Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie won the toss and elected to bat first, circumstances could barely have gone worse.

After losing opener PJ Moor in the first over, Ireland saw Zimbabwe's Blessing Muzarabani run through their top order, and after just 16 overs the Irish total was a miserly 82-5.

As they have done before, Andy McBrine (90*) and Mark Adair (78) rescued the innings and pushed the total above 200 with a 127-run stand for the 7th wicket.

Eventually Ireland was all out in 56.4 overs, but some late runs saw Ireland scramble to 260.

Zimbabwe's response looked confident in home conditions, making it to the end of Day 1 on 72-1.

Come Day Two, the Irish bowlers came to life belatedly, with Barry McCarthy claiming a career-best 4-75 and McBrine took 3-59 as Zimbabwe failed to capitalise on their position of strength from last evening - they ended up with just a 7 run lead when the last wicket fell.

By the end of Day 2, roles from 24 hours before had reversed to an extent and Ireland was 83-1 and a 76-run lead with three days to play.

Balbirnie (66) , Campher (39) and McBrine (58) ensured the Irish innings staye on track, however with all the nine top batters getting into double-figures, not one batter could convert a start into a big innings that could take the game away from the hosts.

With a target of 292, Zimbabwe lost three wickets by the end of Day 3, being 38-3 with two full days to play. The next day suffered a few breaks in play and an early finish to the day's play due to inclement weather, but by the end of the day Zimbabwe were on the brink at 183-7, needing 110 to win. Left-arm orthodox Matthew Humphreys had made the main in-roads in a superb spell of bowling - and he continued that form into Day 4 when he picked up the remaining three wickets, finishing with 6-57 from 28 overs.

From the position of 82-6 on Day 1, Ireland had fought back to win by 63 runs.

FULL SCORECARD: See here

2024

IRELAND MEN v ZIMBABWE MEN
Test #9 -- 25-28 July 2024, Belfast

The second-ever home Test for Ireland started slowly, with Zimbabwe putting on a near chanceless 97 for the first wicket. However, once Barry McCarthy prised out Joylord Gumbie (49), further wickets began to fall at regular intervals and when stumps was called on Day 1, the visitors had collapsed to the all out for 210. McCarthy and Andy McBrine grabbed three wickets each, and Mark Adair two giving Ireland the momentum going into Day 2.

However, PJ Moor (79) played a near lone hand as Ireland struggled under grey skies to lose nine wickets for just 203, threatening to be bowled out behind on the first innings. 

Late on Day 2, though, Humphreys (27) and McBrine (28) partnered for what became a crucial last-wicket stand of 47 - giving Ireland what could be an incisive 40-run lead in a low-scoring affair.

The visitors saw out Day 2 without loss, and Day 3 saw Zimbabwe with 10 wickets  in hand and just a 28-run deficit.

The Irish bowlers emerged on Day 3 with their backs up, and wickets soon began to fall. From 38-0, Zimbabwe lost 10 wickets for just 159 runs - McBrine taking 4-38 was the stand out bowler.

With a small target of just 158 to win their second-straight Test, Richard Ngarava sent the chills through the home side blasting out 4 top order batters and Ireland were struggling at 33-5 when rainfall ended the day's play early.

Day 4 conditions were brighter, and overnight batters Lorcan Tucker and McBrine began to build a partnership with very little fuss. Both batters passed their half-centuries - Tucker falling for 56, while McBrine was joined by Mark Adair and the pair steered Ireland home to pass the target and register a 4-wicket win.

FULL SCORECARD: See here

IRELAND MEN v AFGHANISTAN MEN
Test #8 -- 28 February-1 March 2024, Abu Dhabi

The two sides met in a blistering hot Abu Dhabi - a second time the two sides had met in this format - and the Afghans had no hesitation in electing to bat first when they won the toss.

However, the Irish bowlers were very much on song in early exchanges and by the halfway stage of Day 1 had Afghanistan at 111-7. Some minor late resistance saw the Afghans eke their way to 155, but when Mark Adair uprooted Zahir Khan's off-stump with his fifth wicket of the day (5-39) and Irish side were in the ascendancy.

Never discount the Afghan fighting spirit, though, and Ireland were forced to navigate a tricky 31 overs, losing four wickets for just 100 runs.

Day 2 saw an improved batting performance, as Paul Stirling (52), Lorcan Tucker (46) and McBrine (38) pushed Ireland beyond a 100-run lead, with Ireland eventually all out for 263.

With a 108-run deficit, but with plenty of time left to play, Afghanistan needed a solid innings to first eliminate the deficit, then build a lead.

However, Adair (3-56), Barry McCarthy (3-48) and Craig Young (3-24) had other thoughts and the Afghans were skittled for just 218, leaving a 111-run target for Ireland to secure its first-ever men's Test match victory.

Perhaps sensing the weight of history on their shoulders, Ireland soon found themselves at 39-4 within just 13 overs still needing 72 to win with six wickets in hand.

With skipper Andrew Balbirnie and vice-captain Lorcan Tucker at the crease, spirits rose - along with the temperatures - as the pair dug in and denied the Afghan bowlers time-after-time.

Balbirnie passed his half-century and when Tucker scrambled through for a quick leg bye midway through the 32nd over, the joyous scenes erupted as the Men in Green had recorded their historic first Test victory.

FULL SCORECARD: See here

2023

IRELAND MEN v ENGLAND MEN
Test #7 -- 1-3 June 2023, London

After the drama of the last time these two sides met at Lord's, Ireland were pleased when they lost the toss but were asked to bat first.

However, the English side were not in a charitable mood and had Ireland 19-3 inside seven overs.

James McCollum stood tall with a patient 36 from 108 balls, but apart from Paul Stirling (30) and Andy McBrine (33), there was little resistance and before Tea the Irish first innings was ended for just 172.

England then adopted their famed 'Bazball' approach and by the end of Day 1 they were 152-1 and conditions were looking ominous as the sun was out and no gremlins were found in the pitch.

Ben Duckett (182) and Ollie Pope (205) smashed a 252-run second-wicket stand in quick time, declaring on 524-4 and leaving Ireland a tricky 26 overs to navigate.

Three wickets fell before stumps, however a freak injury to McCollum forced the diminutive batter to retire hurt. McCollum swivelled on a short ball from and his spikes got stuck in the pitch resulting in his full body weight bearing down on his twisted ankle. He couldn't recover in time and was carried off.

At the start of play on Day 3, Ireland had seven wickets in hand (or six, if McCollum could not resume) and facing a 249-run deficit to erase.

First, Harry Tector (51) and Lorcan Tucker (44) provided some resolve, but it was the mercurial pair of Andy McBrine and Mark Adair that added some interest to an encounter that risked being over very quickly.

The pair put on 163 for the 7th wicket - Adair denied what would have been a remarkable century, out for 88 off just 76 balls. 

Further support from Fionn Hand (7) and Graham Hume (14) guided Ireland remarkably past the follow-on target, with the last intrigue being whether McBrine would be rewarded with an incredible century at the Home of Cricket.

However, Hume was knocked over by Stuart Broad and - with McCollum in the dressing-room nursing an intensively painful and swollen ankle, McBrine walked off unbeaten on 86.

England quickly dispensed with the 12-run deficit and Ireland had fought bravely but were beaten by 10 wickets.

FULL SCORECARD: See here

IRELAND MEN v SRI LANKA MEN
Test #6 -- 24-28 April 2024, Galle

Winning the toss and batting first, Ireland batted superbly - making just shy of 500 runs in the first innings.

A magnificent fighting century from Curtis Campher (111) and an uplifting century from Paul Stirling (103) - during which he had to retire hurt at one stage with severe cramps - led the charge, with captain Andrew Balbirnie falling a heart-breaking 5 runs short of a maiden century. Lorcan Tucker was again in the runs with 80.

Any complacency was soon washed away by an avalanche of run-scoring by the Sri Lankans.

The top four batters all passed triple figures and the total of 704-3 declared was the terrifying to watch as an Irish fan.

With a 212-run deficit, Ireland fought hard but were dismissed for 202 - Harry Tector with 85 and Andrew Balbirnie 46 were the only real resistance-offerers.

FULL SCORECARD: See here

IRELAND MEN v SRI LANKA MEN
Test #5 -- 16-18 April 2023, Galle

After losing the toss, Ireland found itself with ball in hand, facing and in-form opponent in their home conditions.

The Sri Lankans mounted an assault on the visitors, striking 591-6 declared. Four Sri Lankans hit 100s, and while the wickets were shared, no bowler really adapted to the new conditions.

Needing a solid start, Ireland immediately lost two wickets - with James McCollum (35), Lorcan Tucker (45) and Harry Tector (34) the only visiting batters to get a decent start.

Ireland ended on just 143,  and the Sri Lankans enforced the follow-on to drive home the massive advantage. 

Calm, patient batting was needed - however, the Sri Lankan bowling attack was looking imperious - the Irish rearguard action never really flew this time and they were bowled out for 168.

FULL SCORECARD: See here

IRELAND MEN v BANGLADESH MEN
Test #4 -- 4-7 APRIL 2023, DHAKA

Winning the toss, Ireland chose to bat first, however struggled early with the low, slow conditions.

Harry Tector (50), Lorcan Tucker (37), Curtis Campher (34) and Mark Adair (32) all made starts, but no one could capitalise and the Irish innings closed for 214 from 77.2 overs.

Andy McBrine led the fight with the ball, taking 6-118, but the locals knew conditions well and made a confident 369 in just 80.3 overs.

As Ireland began its second innings, they faced a 155-run deficit on the first innings. 

The visitors soon found themselves 51-5 in their second innings, staring down the barrel of an innings defeat.

Enter Lorcan Tucker, who was on his Test debut.

The wicketkeeper-batter combined with Harry Tector (56) for a stabilising partnership of 72 - then Tucker partnered with Andy McBrine for a 111-run seventh wicket stand.

Initially looking scratchy, Tucker found his rhythm on the low-bouncing track striking 14 fours and a six as he charged to a Test century from 149 balls - bringing up the milestone with a sublime cover drive to the boundary.

Tucker's 108 was the second-ever century in Tests for Ireland Men - and only the sixth wicketkeeper in Test history to hit a century on debut.

The final total of 292 was positive, but set just 138 runs as the target for Bangladesh. They promptly knocked that off in 27.1 overs.

FULL SCORECARD: See here

2019

IRELAND MEN v ENGLAND MEN
Test #3 -- 24-26 July 2019, London

After losing the toss, England (fresh off the World Cup victory a week earlier) decided to bat first and in an incredible 23.4 over period of play, were demolished by Tim Murtagh (5-13), Mark Adair (3-32) and Boyd Rankin (2-5) - the home side registering just 85 in its shortest ever completed first innings in Test cricket.

The Irish response was one of positive intent, but the wily English bowlers kept the visitors in sight. Andrew Balbirnie (55) and Paul Stirling (36) shared a 87-run stand for the 4th wicket - and while Ireland finished on 207 with a 122-run lead, there was always a sense that the game still had a twist or two yet.

The unlikely batting hero for England was opening nightwatcher Jack Leach who scored 92 - and despite a sustained bowling discipline by the visitors, England made 303, setting a potentially tricky 4th innings target of 182 towards the end of Day Two.

Waking up on Day Three, the teams arrived at the ground to face a dramatic weather change - what had been two relatively pleasant sunny days on Day One and Two became squally, dark and threatening conditions on Day Three.

The ball began to loop around significantly and the Woakes-Broad bowling partnership started making inroads. From 11-0, Ireland was soon 24-6 and looking down the barrel.

Mark Adair came to the crease and struck a massive six to lift Irish hearts, but within 16 overs the Irish dreams of a Test victory over England at Lord's was crushed - 38 all out.

FULL SCORECARD: See here

IRELAND MEN v AFGHANISTAN MEN
Test #2 -- 15-18 March 2019, Dehradun

William Porterfield won the toss and elected to bat first on a dusty Indian track. Despite a solid opening stand of 37 between Porterfield (9) and Paul Stirling (26), Ireland soon found themselves in trouble.

From 37-0, Ireland collapsed to 85-9 thanks to seasoned bowling in Asian conditions by the Afghans and some impatient shot play by the Irish batters.

With George Dockrell and Tim Murtagh at the crease, it appeared that reaching three figures was probably not likely.  Just as "not likely" was what happened next.

With a steady partner in Dockrell to rely on, it was the No. 11 batter Murtagh who decided to take on the bowling attack. He struck four fours and two sixes on his way to 54*, with Ireland getting to 172 in the third session of Day One.

Sensing something out of the usual was required, Porterfield threw the ball to Murtagh and off-spinner  Andy McBrine to open. When no breakthrough came after 12 overs, off-spinner James Cameron-Dow came on and immediately struck.

The Afghans, though, were in no mood to let the visitors back into the game and they scrapped their way to 314 - a lead of 142 on the first innings.

Ireland's second innings was a vastly improved performance, scoring 288 - Andrew Balbirnie making 82, Kevin O'Brienn 56 and once more Murtagh was in the runs with 27.

The 147 run target was always going to be hard to defend, and the Afghans passed the winning mark with only three wickets down.

FULL SCORECARD: See here

2018

IRELAND MEN v PAKISTAN MEN
Test #1 -- 11-15 May 2018, Dublin

Ireland Men's inaugural Test Match was played at Malahide against Pakistan.

The historic occasion was unfortunately a victim of heavy rainfall and the entire first day was lost without a ball bowled.

Day Two was cool but sunny, and after winning the toss, Ireland elected to bowl first on a green top.

Boyd Rankin (2-75) and Tim Murtagh (4-45) snared early wickets, however, some solid middle-order batting saw Pakistan recover and mount a competitive total of 310-9 declared just before lunch on Day Three.

The Irish response did not start well, losing four wickets within the first 8 overs - looking down the barrel at 7-4.

Paul Stirling (17) and Kevin O'Brien (40) steadied the innings, and a 33* by Gary Wilson (who was batting with a hand injury) gave the home side some respectability - but the total of 130 was 180 runs shy and had Pakistan in full control at Tea on Day Three.

Given the loss of a full day's play on Day One, Pakistan were able to force Ireland to follow on and on this occasion the Irish openers dug in. Ed Joyce (43) and William Porterfield (32) saw out the day and continued into Day Four looking increasingly confident.

However, Pakistan hit back taking 6 wickets for 88 runs and had Ireland at risk of an innings defeat.

Kevin O'Brien and Stuart Thompson then set about a partnership of grit and determination. The pair put on 114 for the 7th wicket to carry Ireland to 271-7. Thompson made a creditable 53, while O'Brien memorably brought a century on debut, eventually getting to 118 at stumps on Day Four.

O'Brien fell on the first ball of Day Five and Ireland scrambled to 339, setting Pakistan a tricky 160-run target.

Ireland dared to dream after grabbing three wickets in the first four overs, but couldn't deny the experienced Pakistani's, who went on to win by 5 wickets.

FULL SCORECARD: See here

2000

IRELAND WOMEN v PAKISTAN WOMEN
30-31 July 2000, Dublin

Ireland Women's one and only Test Match to date was played in Trinity College, Dublin against Pakistan.

After winning and toss and electing to bat first, Pakistan was soon in trouble losing 5 wickets before lunch on Day 1. Seamer Barbara McDonald snared three wicket, and leg-spinner Ciara Metcalfe had two, as the visitors struggled in cool Irish conditions.

Following a 29-run sixth-wicket stand, the visitors soon capitulated - all out for 53 from 47.4 overs. Metcalfe finished with 4-26, McDonald 3-9 and off-spinner Catherine O'Neill took 3-15. While wicketless, seamer Saibh Young finished with the incredible figures of 10-9-1-0.

After losing Clare O'Leary early for 0, Karen Young (58) and Caitriona Beggs (68*) put on a relatively breezy 112-run partnership and had Ireland in a dominant position.

Captain Miriam Grealey contributed 16 and Anne Linehan a quickfire 27* as the home side declared early on Day Two on 193-3 from 47 overs.

The second Pakistan innings was far more stubborn than the first. However, despite the gritty batting (particularly by Khursheed Jabeen who scored 13 off 156 balls), the visitors were bowled out for 86, handing Ireland a win by an innings and 54 runs.

Despite not bowling in the first innings, all-arounder Isobel Joyce finished with Player of the Match figures of 6-21 to complete the rout.

FULL SCORECARD: See here

Details