Stuart Poynter extends contract with Durham, ending international career with Ireland

Poynter has opted to remain with Durham, who he joined in 2014, having previously been on the books of both Middlesex and Warwickshire - a decision that ends his international career with Ireland

The Durham trio of Liam Trevaskis, Jack Burnham and Stuart Poynter have all signed contract extensions with the county.

All three have added two years to their deals at the club. In doing so, Poynter has turned down the chance to continue representing Ireland in international cricket, in favour of prolonging his county career.

Prior to 2020, Irish players were able to play county cricket without issue, but it was announced that these rules would change in 2017 when Ireland were granted Test status.

In order to avoid potential legal difficulties, it was then agreed that Ireland cricketers would be able to continue playing in county cricket through 2018 and 2019 – an agreement that finishes at the end of the current season.

Ireland’s county cricketers, therefore, have been left with a difficult decision. Middlesex batsman Paul Stirling has chosen to leave his county of almost a decade in order to focus on international cricket.

Poynter, however, has opted to remain with Durham, who he joined in 2014, having previously been on the books of both Middlesex and Warwickshire.

Richar Holdsworth, performance director at Cricket Ireland, said: “On behalf of the coaches, players past and present, and staff at Cricket Ireland I would like to thank Stuart for his service to Irish cricket since he made his debut for Ireland in 2011. Stuart has played 60 times for the national side, his last appearance being his Test debut against Afghanistan in early 2019.

“He has certainly been one of a cohort of players who has been part of the rapid climb of Irish cricket over the last decade from associate member to full member with Test match status, and I’m pleased for Stuart personally that he played in a Test match before he finished with international duties.

“We wish Stuart and his family well with the next phase in their lives and hope that we see him regularly supporting the Irish team as we ourselves move into the next phase of our development.”

Trevaskis and Burnham, meanwhile, both products of the club’s academy system, will also remain at Emirates Riverside.

The 20-year-old Trevaskis enjoyed a breakthrough year with the county; only four men who bowled more than 40 overs in the T20 Blast did so with a better economy rate than the left-arm spinner.

Burnham, who has been with the club since Under-9 level and missed the 2018 season after being handed a one-year ban from cricket for failing three recreational drugs tests, made four half centuries as Durham narrowly missed out on County Championship promotion.