Barry McCarthy

Barry John McCarthy, born on September 13, 1992, in Dublin, Ireland, is a distinguished right-arm medium-pace bowler who also excels with the bat, favoring a right-handed stance. His sister, Louise McCarthy, shares his passion for cricket, representing Ireland Women on the international stage. McCarthy's journey into the cricketing spotlight commenced on May 20, 2016, when he made his Twenty20 debut for Durham against Worcestershire Rapids in the 2016 NatWest t20 Blast. This marked the beginning of a promising career, which swiftly garnered attention as he earned a spot in Ireland's One Day International (ODI) squad for the series against Sri Lanka in June 2016. Prior to this, he showcased his talent with the Ireland U19s, leaving a mark in five matches. McCarthy's ODI debut on June 16, 2016, solidified his place in Ireland's cricketing landscape. His prowess extended to the Twenty20 International (T20I) arena, where, on March 10, 2017, he impressed against Afghanistan, claiming four crucial wickets. However, his second T20I outing witnessed a setback, as he grappled with the challenge of recording the most expensive bowling figures in a T20I. Despite occasional hurdles, McCarthy's dedication and skill didn't go unnoticed. Following the 2018 Cricket World Cup Qualifier, the International Cricket Council (ICC) hailed him as the rising star of Ireland's cricketing realm. In November 2018, McCarthy shifted his focus from Durham to his international career with Ireland, a move that was underscored by Cricket Ireland's decision to award him a central contract for the 2019 season. Although he was named in Ireland's squad for their one-off Test against Afghanistan in January 2019, McCarthy didn't grace the field. His presence continued to be felt, as he was included in Ireland's provisional squad for the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. McCarthy's significance within the team was further underscored when he found himself in Ireland's Test squad for their tours of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in March and April 2023. Notably, he showcased his batting prowess in 2023, clinching his maiden T20I half-century against India, culminating in an unbeaten 51 runs, a testament to his growing influence in the format.