Ireland pair Paul Stirling and Simi Singh have been named in the International Cricket Council's Men's ODI Team of the Year.
Stirling, who last week stood in as Ireland captain and led the team to a brilliant series win over West Indies, made 705 runs in 2021 in ODI matches at an average of 79.66.
This included three centuries and two half-centuries, and he finished top run-scorer worldwide in the format.
Singh excelled with his off-spin bowling and made several valuable contributions with the bat. He picked up 19 wickets in ODI matches at an average of 20.15, which included one five-for.
With the bat he hit 280 runs at 46.66, including a century against South Africa at Malahide which went down in the record books as the first-ever century by a batter coming in at eight in ODI cricket.
"It’s a nice way to close the chapter on 2021 being named in this team of the year," said Stirling.
"It was pleasing that the hard work put in with Graham Ford has paid off. You're always looking to improve as an international sportsman so to have probably my most successful year in an Ireland shirt to date was extremely satisfying and gives me a benchmark to try and surpass in years to come."
A delighted Singh added: "It’s great to be recognised at the highest level and to be named among the top players in the world is a surreal feeling. Wining against South Africa, scoring my maiden ODI ton, taking my maiden ODI five-for, hitting a maiden ODI 50 in the same year was pretty special personally."
Power-hitters, terrific all-rounders, fiery pacers 🔥
— ICC (@ICC) January 20, 2022
The 2021 ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year has all the bases covered 🤩 pic.twitter.com/R2SCJl04kQ
