Meet the players
William Porterfield
- Born On: 6 September 1984
- Club: North West Warriors
- Cap Number: 654
- Debut Match: May 2006 v Namibia
- Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
- Bowling Style: -
- Career Best: 166 v Bermuda in 2007

William Porterfield, captain of the Irish Senior team, has played for Ireland at every level from under-13 upwards. He also captained at just about all levels and in many ways highlights the success of the developmental aspects of Irish Cricket.
‘Porty’ was first capped against Namibia in Castle Avenue in 2006. He took over from Trent Johnston as captain of the Irish team and has to date been captain on over 100 occasions (the most by any Irish player) and with 62 wins is the most successful Irish captain of all time.
As of the end of the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 he has won 155 Caps. An opening bat, he has scored 4,700 runs making him Ireland’s leading runscorer to date, and has scored 8 centuries, also a record for Ireland. He is also acknowledged to be the outstanding Ireland fielder and has taken 76 catches (though he is only the third highest catcher for Ireland to date).
Porty has had many outstanding performances for Ireland and his highest score is 166 v Bermuda at Castle Avenue in 2007 in the ICC InterContinental Cup. Many, however, would view his 85 against Bangladesh in the 2007 World Cup as one of his outstanding knocks, leading Ireland to their second victory over a full Test playing side in that tournament. As captain, though, it is hard to look beyond his captaincy of Ireland in their win over England in Bangalore in the 2011 World Cup.
Born in Donemana, he is proud cricketer from the fine cricketing tradition of the North West region. At Club level in Ireland he has represented Donemana and Rush. He spent time with the MCC Young Cricketers and subsequently has played First Class Cricket with Gloucestershire and following a prolific season there in 2010, he was offered a contract with Warwickshire where he now plays.
Further honours came in 2012 as a side made up of some of the best players from Associate and Affiliate teams was put together to face England in Dubai in January 2012. The three-day match was part of England’s preparation for a series against Pakistan later that month. Porterfield captained the squad and was one of four Ireland players included.
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William Porterfield's statistics coming soon
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Joyce and Porterfield put Ireland in total command in Windhoek
October 25th 2015
Ed Joyce and William Porterfield both scored centuries as Ireland completely dominated the second day of their InterContinental Cup clash with Namibia in Windhoek.
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Porterfield talks about the toss, death overs and Kevin O’Brien
February 25th 2015
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Porterfield says Ireland raring to go
February 24th 2015
Speaking to the media, Ireland captain William Porterfield says his side is raring to go ahead of their World Cup match against the UAE on Wednesday.
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Porterfield looks forward to West Indies match
February 15th 2015
William Porterfield looks forward to the West Indies clash at the captain's pre-match press conference.
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Nominees for 2014 Cricket Ireland Awards Announced
November 4th 2014
The nominations for the 2014 Cricket Ireland Awards have been announced, with Kevin O’Brien, Max Sorensen and William Porterfield all in the running for the RSA Men’s International Player of the Year Award.
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Porterfield Leaves Ireland Tour
October 17th 2014
Ireland Captain William Porterfield has returned home from Ireland’s ICC Cricket World Cup acclimatisation tour of Australia and New Zealand due to personal reasons.
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Porterfield and Stirling Press Conference
March 17th 2014
Ireland Captain William Porterfield and Man of the Match Paul Stirling talk at a press conference after Ireland's thrilling last ball victory over Zimbabwe in the first match of Group B in Bangladesh.
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Ed Joyce & William Porterfield Interviews
March 16th 2014
Ed Joyce and Ireland captain William Porterfield spoke today ahead of tomorrow's crunch St. Patrick's Day showdown against Zimbabwe where Ireland will kick their ICC World Twenyt 20 Campaign off in Sylhet.
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Ireland beat World Champions at Sabina Park
February 19th 2014
An ice-cool innings of 40 not out from Ireland veteran Ed Joyce has guided Ireland to an historic win against the World Champions, the West Indies at Sabina Park in Jamaica.
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Ireland hoping for Sabina Park inspiration against West Indies
February 18th 2014
Ireland return to the scene of one of their finest hours when they take on the West Indies in two T20I's and an ODI in Jamaica this week, the matches will provide perfect preparation for the ICC World Twenty20 next month in Bangladesh.
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Ireland lose heavily to Guyana in first game
January 31st 2014
Ireland lost their first match in the Nagico Super 50 this evening as they fell 114 runs short of Guyana's challenging total of 301 at the Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
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Porterfield speaks ahead of first game
January 30th 2014
William Porterfield, the Ireland opener and captain, spoke to the media about his team’s chances in the NAGICO Super50 tournament which will be played at the historic Queen’s Park Oval and the picturesque Shaw Park in Tobago.
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Porterfield looks to Sri Lanka for inspiration
January 14th 2014
Early bird tickets available with a 20% discount on all tickets until March 31st. These great value packages see Family Tickets at just €49 for a full day’s entertainment in Clontarf and an Adult 2 Match Ticket Package at just €35.
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Porterfield named captain of ICC I-Cup Team of the Tournament 2011-13
December 16th 2013
William Porterfield has been named captain of the ICC Intercontinental Cup 2011-13 Team of the Tournament, which was announced today. He is one of three Irish representatives in the team.
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Presidential Diary Part 19 - Treble Winners
December 14th 2013
Cricket Ireland President gives us the inside story on a historic day for Irish cricket as John Mooney led Ireland to a superb win over Afghanistan in the Intercontinental Cup Final and help crown Trent Johnston's career in the best possible way.
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Ireland v Hong Kong Highlights
November 26th 2013
Catch the highlights as Paul Stirling produced a stunning Man of the Match performance to guide Ireland to automatic qualification for the ICC World Twenty20 finals in Bangladesh next March.
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NI Sports Minister sends congratulations to record-breaker Porterfield
November 21st 2013
Northern Irish Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has congratulated William Porterfield, who has become the first player to score a Twenty20 century for Ireland.
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Porterfield’s record-breaking 127 not out gives Ireland fourth successive win at the ICC World T20
November 20th 2013
William Porterfield posted the highest individual score in the history of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier as Ireland extended its unbeaten run to four matches in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2013 (WT20Q) at the Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. There were also wins for Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Netherlands on day six.
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Porterfield leads Ireland to crushing win over USA
November 20th 2013
A record breaking unbeaten 127 from Irish skipper William Porterfield inspired his side to a crushing 75 run win against USA in the sweltering desert heat of Abu Dhabi.
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Cricket Ireland Season Review Video 2013
November 14th 2013
A Review of the 2013 Irish Cricket Season so far released ahead of the ICC World Twenty 20 Qualifiers which start tomorrow in the UAE.
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ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2013 gets under way tomorrow
November 14th 2013
One of the biggest tournaments in the ICC’s Associate and Affiliate Members’ (AM) calendars gets underway tomorrow when the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2013 (WT20Q) commences. Sixteen teams will compete for the six available places in the tournament proper, to be staged in Bangladesh from 16 March to 6 April 2014.
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Qualification is non-negotiable says Porterfield
October 31st 2013
“We can’t afford to be complacent just because we’re the current champions,” says Ireland captain.
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Simmons praises quality of Irish talent
October 25th 2013
Thirty-six players have been named in the Ireland National Performance and Emerging Players Squads.
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Cricket Ireland announce nominees for RSA International Men’s and Womens’s Player of the Year Award
September 26th 2013
Ed Joyce, William Porterfield and Max Sorensen named in RSA International Men's Player of the Year Award short-list, while Laura Delany, Isobel Joyce and Clare Shillington nominated in the Women's list.
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Ireland beat Scotland to Crown WCL Championship Title
September 9th 2013
Ireland completed back-to-back victories over traditional rivals Scotland as they romped to a seven wickets win on Sunday, to follow up their thrilling last over conquest of their Celtic cousins on Friday.
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Morgan Breaks Irish Hearts
September 4th 2013
England were given a probing work-out ahead of the upcoming five-game series with Australia but had captain Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara, who both struck unbeaten centuries, to thank as they survived a big scare to overcome a resilient Ireland side by six wickets in the RSA Challenge at Malahide.
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RSA Challenge: Ireland v England Preview
September 2nd 2013
The most significant moments in sport come when a game isn’t so much a game but a defining occasion or moment in time which yields significant ramifications for the long term.
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Wonderful Wilson gives Surrey thrilling win
August 12th 2013
Gary Wilson's impressive season for Surrey & Ireland continues as his wonderful innings of 85 helped them to a thrilling win over Derbyshire yesterday.
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Ireland secure World Cup qualification after amazing tie against Netherlands
July 9th 2013
Ireland claim a place in the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand as they gain the point which also sees them win the World Cricket League title
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Ireland through to 2015 Cricket World Cup following thrilling TIE v Netherlands
July 9th 2013
William Porterfield's side played out a thrilling tie against the Netherlands which sealed Ireland's spot at the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.
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Ireland defeat Netherlands by 88 runs
July 7th 2013
Ireland v Netherlands in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Qualifiers LIVE from Amstelveen.
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Ireland unchanged for crucial World Cup Qualifiers
June 24th 2013
Ireland have named an unchanged ODI squad for their crucial World Cup qualifers against The Netherlands next month.
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Test foot forward – Not content to simply make up the numbers
June 18th 2013
On that famous night in Bangalore, after Kevin O’Brien had launched a staggering counter-attack and smashed England’s potent bowling attack to all four corners, the dust began to settle on another remarkable achievement as another glorious chapter was etched into this country’s cricketing history.
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Ireland’s path to World Cup
April 1st 2013
Following two wins against the United Arab Emirates in the World Cricket League in Sharjah, Ireland are in pole position to claim a spot in the 2015 ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
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Cricket Ireland Launch Club Deal for RSA Challenge 2013
March 26th 2013
Full details of how clubs across Ireland can avail of special prices for the 2013 RSA Challenge
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Porterfield continues superb start to 2013
March 25th 2013
Ireland captain William Porterfield continued his dream start to 2013 with another century, this time for Warwickshire in the curtain raiser for the English domestic season in Abu Dhabi.
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Johnston inspires Ireland to brink of World Cup
March 20th 2013
A sensational bowling spell from Trent Johnston coupled with a disciplined batting effort ensured Ireland won their second World Cup qualifying encounter against the United Arab Emirates in Sharjah.
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Ireland v UAE Match 1 Highlights
March 20th 2013
Full highlights of Ireland's 5 wicket win over the UAE on Monday in Sharjah where Gary Wilson's Composed 72 not out steered Ireland home to crucial victory.
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Wilson settles Irish nerves to secure crucial win
March 18th 2013
Gary Wilson settled Irish nerves scoring an unbeaten half century to lead his team to a five wicket win against the United Arab Emirates in the first of their two World Cup Qualifiers.
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Wilson guides Ireland home to win over UAE
March 17th 2013
Ireland were superb in the field in Sharjah and a gem of an innings from Gary Wilson with a little help from Kevin O'Brien and John Mooney steered Ireland home to send them 4 points clear at the top of the ICC World Cricket League Championship Table.
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Ireland seeks ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 qualification
March 17th 2013
Double-win against UAE in Sharjah will put Ireland on the verge of qualifying for ICC’s flagship event for the third successive time Porterfield says Ireland focused more than ever, Aqib warns that it’s do or die for UAE
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Records continue to tumble as Ireland settle for draw with UAE
March 15th 2013
Ireland settled for a draw in their InterContinental Cup match with UAE, collecting 9 points by virtue of having a first innings lead in the contest, which keeps them in pole position in the table on 76 points, ahead of Afghanistan (64) and Scotland (46).
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Back the Boys in Green for Australia 2015
March 15th 2013
Cricket Ireland looks for the Irish public to get behind their nation's cricketers as they push for qualification to the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand
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Ireland v UAE Day 1 Highlights
March 12th 2013
Highlights of Ireland's dominant first day in the ICC Intercontinental Cup in Sharjah versus the UAE.
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Ireland dominate opening day of InterContinental Cup clash with UAE
March 12th 2013
A thoroughly professional first day batting display from Ireland has left them in control of their InterContinental Cup clash with the UAE in Sharjah.
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Ireland opt for experience ahead of crucial UAE tour
February 15th 2013
Cricket Ireland have named an experienced squad of 14 ahead of their crucial tour of the UAE next month.
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Ireland announce player contracts
February 14th 2013
Max Sorensen and an exciting quartet of youngsters are the major beneficiaries of the 17 contracts announced by Cricket Ireland for the 2013 season, with a further five contracts to be offered in due course.
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Toyota New Official Car Sponsor to Cricket Ireland
February 12th 2013
Toyota Ireland has announced that it has become the new Official Car Sponsor to Cricket Ireland.
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Ireland Skipper Porterfield Signs New Deal at Edgbaston
February 12th 2013
Ireland Captain William Porterfield has signed a new two-year contract extension with Warwickshire CCC to commit to the current LV= County Champions until at least the end of the 2015 season.
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Irish Cricket’s Big Bike Ride wins ‘Spirit of Cricket’ Award
January 29th 2013
The Pepsi ICC Development Awards European winners have been announced by ICC Europe for 2012 with winners coming from six different European nations - Cricket Ireland won one award thanks to Gary Wilson & William Porterfield's Big Bike Ride which won the Spirit of Cricket award.
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Video: The 2012 Irish Cricket Year in Review
January 3rd 2013
A look back on the year of Irish cricket in 2012. With footage and coverage from right across all areas of the sport here in Ireland.
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Irish Cricket’s Big Bike Ride raises almost £30k
October 16th 2012
It may have been the toughest thing Gary Wilson and William Porterfield have ever done but every one of their 380-mile charity bike ride from Cork to Belfast paid handsome dividends.
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Big Bike Ride Completed!
October 15th 2012
Irish Cricket's Big Bike Ride has been completed with Gary Wilson and William Porterfield arriving into Belfast City Square at 4.45pm on Saturday, having conquered the marathon journey that saw them travel 380 miles in just 5 days.
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Yuvraj Singh sends his support for the Big Bike Ride
October 13th 2012
Gary Wilson and William Porterfield's final push in the Big Bike Ride has been given a big boost with a message of support from one of Indian Cricket's biggest star's, Yuvraj Singh.
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Big Bike Ride Day 4
October 13th 2012
Gary and William completed Day 4 of the Big Bike Ride yesterday and received a heroes welcome at their final destination of Bready Cricket Club
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Big Bike Ride Day 3
October 12th 2012
A report on the lads travels on Day 3 of the Big Bike Ride where the starting point was Dublin with the destination being Armagh.
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Big Bike Ride Day 2
October 11th 2012
Gary and William took the second day of their Big Bike Ride in stride as they completed the 70 miles from Kilkenny to Dublin with aplomb and they were helped along the way by some guests and team-mates.
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Wilson & Porterfield ready to get on their bikes
October 7th 2012
Irish cricket team mates Gary Wilson and William Porterfield are getting on their bikes for an ambitious project to cycle the length of Ireland - a grand total of 380 miles in just five days!
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Porterfield calls for Ireland to be added to Future Tours Programme
September 26th 2012
William Porterfield made an impassioned plea for more matches for his team between major international tournaments, saying the only way Ireland could get better was to play regularly against the full members of the International Cricket Council.
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We have a full squad to choose from says Porterfield
September 24th 2012
Ireland captain plays down health issues in team, says he has a full squad to choose from for the crucial showdown between Ireland and the West Indies.
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Ireland v Australia Match Highlights
September 21st 2012
Video Highlights of Ireland's seven wicket loss to Australia in the opening match of Group B of the ICC World Twenty 20 on Wednesday in Colombo. Ireland must now re-group ahead of their crucial match against the West Indies on Monday at 3pm Irish time.
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Porterfield rues Irish performance
September 21st 2012
William Porterfield rued his team’s abject top-order batting display, saying Ireland could have stretched Australia had it put on another 40-45 runs on what he called a “pretty good wicket” at the R Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday.
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Australia dominate Ireland to win by 7 Wickets
September 19th 2012
The first match of Group B in the ICC World Twenty 20 was a very one-sided affair as Ireland were outplayed by Australia and lost by 7 wickets.
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Ireland crush Zimbabwe in Warm up Win
September 13th 2012
Ireland continued their positive build-up for ICC World Twenty 20 this week by beating Zimbabwe by a comfortable 54 runs and retaining their unbeaten record in their warm up matches.
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Irish cricketers win county championship
September 6th 2012
William Porterfield predicts that he and Boyd Rankin will not be the last Irishmen to win English cricket’s county championship.
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Ireland v Bangladesh Highlights
July 19th 2012
Highlights from yesterday's 1st RSA Twenty20 International Series match against Bangladesh