This week Cricket Leinster Youth (@leinsteryouth) sat down with Ireland and Middlesex batsman Andrew Balbirnie. Andrew has had a brilliant year culminating in consistent selection and batting five for the Ireland senior team. He stopped in to talk about how he's been doing and how trips (such as to Middlesex and South Africa) have developed him into the player he is today.
So Andrew, how did your stay in Middlesex come about?
It started when Peter Davy the ex-Pembroke and Irish international got in contact with Toby Radford who was then the Academy Director at Middlesex and sorted out a few U16 games for me to play in. I suppose that's when I first came about playing at Middlesex.
I'm sure it's been beneficial to your cricket but in what ways has it improved your game?
I feel that my technique has come on a lot over the few years I have been here. Getting to work with top class batting coaches every week has definitely paid off. I've tried to become a better multi-day cricketer and learn to bat long periods of time - I definitely feel that I have done that.
What was different from the Irish set up to the English county system?
There is a huge difference in my opinion, infrastructure being the obvious one. The facilities here are second to none. Everything is available to us (grass nets, indoor school, pool, gym). Coaches are regularly on-hand to throw balls and work with you. There's no doubt that the talent is there in Ireland but it's about how we get those players playing at a regular high standard form early on. The introduction of the interprovincial series in Ireland has been a big help here.
How, in accordance with your county coaching, has Leinster cricket benefitted you in the past few years?
I don't think I would be where I am now if I was not part initially of the Leinster youth programme. Numerous of incredible trips to the UK (North Wales, Wrexham, Wolverhampton, Durham etc) with underage teams and the chance to go to Muir college in South Africa’s Eastern Cape was a once in a lifetime opportunity that taught me invaluable lessons of how to bat in foreign climates. Added to that my two U19 World Cups in Malaysia and New Zealand were invaluable learning experiences.
Where do you currently stand in Middlesex's plans going forward? Is it your intention to play there as long as you can?
I want to play top class cricket regularly and unfortunately I'm not involved with the first team at present. I just have to keep scoring runs and let the rest happen itself.
What are your personal highlights from your stay in Middlesex?
My first class debut in 2012.
Finally, what's next for you? What's your next step in relation to Irish Cricket and Middlesex?
I really enjoyed being back home last week and being part of Ireland’s I-Cup victory over the UAE. This is a huge competition now for us as it is the current pathway to Test cricket and to start well at home was great for us.
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