Ireland captain Stirling out of T20 World Cup with knee injury

COLOMBO, Feb 13 (AFP): Ireland suffered a major blow on Friday when captain Paul Stirling was ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup after suffering ligament damage.

Stirling hurt his right knee when completing a catch during Ireland's 67-run loss to Australia on Wednesday.

The experienced Irishman aggravated it again when he went for a quick single in the same match.

Uncapped left-handed opening batsman Sam Topping will replace Stirling in the 15-man squad with immediate effect.

"Paul will shortly return home for rest and rehabilitation, ahead of the home summer," said Ireland's director of high performance, Graeme West.

Ireland next play Oman in Colombo on Saturday.