Stuart Thompson is attractive left-handed batsman, he also offers useful medium-pace seam. He impressed in his first game against a Test-playing side, making a run-a-ball 33 and taking 2 for 17 against the West Indies in an ODI in February 2014.

Over the summer of 2014 Thompson grew in stature and was in sparkling form during the ODI series against Scotland that September. But he endured a horrific autumn, hitting just 24 runs in eight innings in Ireland's World Cup preparations. Nevertheless, Simmons was unwilling to discard his investment and Thompson was part of the 2015 World Cup squad.

In 2016 he took a break from the game to receive treatment for performance anxiety. "With the backing of Cricket Ireland, I have received expert help and I now understand a lot more about my condition and how I can overcome it," he said at the time.

Two months later he was back in the game and, with the help of Cricket Ireland, secured a spot at the Darren Lehmann academy in Adelaide. In 2017 he was recalled by Ireland for the Desert T20 tournament only to be hit by an ankle injury but it was not long before he returned to the XI in March of that year although his scores have been lean.

In May 2018, a timely maiden first-class hundred - 148 for North West Warriors against Leinster Lightning - earned him a spot in Ireland's maiden Test squad to face Pakistan.

Thompson's father, Nigel, also represented Ireland.
ESPNcricinfo staff