Road to Oz starts now for North West cricketers

Phil Simmons’ side got the point they needed after they tied with Holland in their ICC World Cricket League Championship game today (Tuesday).

Former Ireland international and current selector Peter Gillespie, feels the current group of talent in and around the area should relish the challenge of forcing their way into Phil Simmons’ World Cup squad.

The Strabane man believes the likes of Johnny Thompson, Chris Dougherty, Andy McBrine, Ryan Hunter and Stuart Thompson, should put their head down and continue to work hard for both club and Province, while former Fox Lodge man Graeme McCarter is also a man who has a big future ahead of him.

The 20-year-old is currently producing the goods in the County game in England with Gloucestershire.

“It’s fantastic that we have qualified for another World Cup, that means we have qualified for every major World Cup competition, whether it’s T/20 or limited overs game, since 2007, which is a tremendous achievement,” stated Gillespie.

“Now that we have qualified for Australia and New Zealand, then certainly the players from the North West should believe in their own ability, but also work really hard both on and off the pitch, to try and force their way into that squad.

“Some one like Andy McBrine, who I feel is a fantastic cricketer and someone who I really like. He’s a tremendous batsman who can also play his shots but attack no matter who is bowling at him. He’s a cricketer who never stops and his never say die attitude is something which I really love.

“Another man who is doing well and is already in Phil’s (Simmons) plans is Stuart Thompson, so he knows if he continues to bide his time and put the work in then the carrot is there for him.

“I also feel that if Graeme McCarter, who is quietly doing very well at Gloucestershire, continues his super form is someone who I feel will be in an Ireland squad sooner rather than later.

“Then you have the likes of Ryan Hunter, who picked up an injury at the start of the season and has struggled a little, but he has got great potential and there are a few other players in and around the North West who have the ability and they know if they put the work in a chance to represent your country at a World Cup would be something memorable.

“But all these players I have mentioned and other cricketers from the North West have to put the work in now.”

The right handed batsman, who played for Ireland in the 2007 ICC World Cup in the West Indies, also feels that skipper William Porterfield, a native from Killyclooney, deserves a lot of credit for the recent continued success the Men in Green are having.

“If all goes well William will be captaining his country at another World Cup and that’s incredible,” Gillespie added.

“William is a fantastic leader, both on and off the field and even at the last World Cup in India his captaincy was the talk in all the commentator boxes, they were praising his decision making and his attitude and fielding, a great player who was leading by example.

“I’m really thrilled for him, because he’s such a nice guy, who I have to admit was earmarked as captain for Ireland years ago and that decision has been proved right.”

Gillespie also feels Ireland’s longevity is because of the super structure which has been in place for a number of years.

“If you think abck to the 2007 squad, there’s myself, Jeremy Bray, Eoin Morgan, Boyd Rankin, Kyle McCallan and Andre Botha have all moved on, but the squad has changed so much since then, which is a good thing for Irish cricket.

“The likes of Paul Stirling, Max Sorensen and George Dockreel to name but three were slowly introduced into the squad and more importantly given the time to gain experience about playing at the highest level of cricket.

“Even if they had an off day, there has always been enough experienced players like William, Trent Johnston, Ed Joyce, Kevin and Niall O’Brien and they would make sure the young guys never felt down and now look, Stirling, Maxie and George are all big players for Ireland, so hopefully this method can continue for many years to come.”