Photo Credit: Sportsfile
In-form Irish batter Harry Tector is upbeat about the summer so far for Ireland despite the ‘mixed bag’ of results and was speaking about his recent contract offer to play in two white-ball tournaments in the Caribbean coming up in the next month.
Tector, 22, is without doubt one of the most in-form batters in world cricket at the moment, having struck two centuries and seven half-centuries in his last 11 one-day international innings, and two half-centuries in his last six T20 Internationals – this week he also hit 28*, 58* and 13 in three knocks in the latest Inter-Provincial T20 Festival.
During the week it was also announced that Tector will feature in the inaugural The 6ixty – a T10 franchise tournament in the Caribbean (playing for the Barbados Royals) from 24-28 August 2022 – and the Caribbean Premier League (playing for the Barbados Royals) from 31 August – 30 September 2022.
Speaking from the hotel in Bristol, Tector was talking about the home summer to date:
“It’s been a mixed bag in terms of results, but the way we are playing is certainly improving – I think that’s the main takeaway of the summer so far. The brand of cricket we are playing means that sometimes we will be bowled out for a low score, but that’s what you see with pretty much most international teams. I think you have to accept that if you’re willing to get those big scores, and thankfully we’re seeing that more and more, that’s what we’re looking to build on, particularly as a batting unit going to a T20 World Cup in October.”
Would you describe that approach as one of ‘no fear’?
“I think that’s a fair assessment – I think we’ve shown that when we stand up to these teams, we are capable of going blow-for-blow with them, and it feels that way within the group.
“We have a good team behind us helping move in this direction – Heinrich [Malan], Eagy [Ryan Eagleson] and Wils [Gary Wilson] as specialist coaches have been getting us to think more about our T20 game. The belief is there that we can beat these big teams, and not to get nervous about any team we play. We go out there and want to win, we expect to win, and I guess that’s where it has been a bit disappointing this summer as we have got so close so many times.
“The flip side of that is that we know we’re not that far away, and we know we have better cricket in us as well, which is what is so exciting. I think that ‘no fear’ mentality is key – not just with the bat but with the ball as well, and we’ve done that in part this summer, enough to give that belief to the squad that we can beat these big teams. It’s certainly something we’re looking to bring into this week in Bristol.”
Has the team that faced South Africa in 2021 changed to the one that will take them on this week?
“It’s probably not that different personnel-wise, but it’s certainly different in how we’re trying to play the game and trying to create more clarity around what we’re trying to achieve. It’s not just about this week, though, it’s all about building towards the World Cup in October.”
And what are you looking forward to most about the Caribbean tournaments you’re set to join later this month?
“I’m mostly looking forward to playing with some great players in a different environment and in different conditions – and it will be valuable experience to gain before the World Cup. While it’s an amazing opportunity for me to improve my game, I think the more Irish players that can get into these leagues the better, because it can only stand to our benefit to be learning in those different environments. To learn from other players and other coaches will be greatly beneficial as it will allow us to bring back knowledge for the Irish squad going forward.”
Ireland Men’s T20I squad
Andrew Balbirnie (Captain), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Fionn Hand, Graham Hume, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker.
IRELAND MEN’S REMAINING HOME FIXTURE SCHEDULE FOR 2022
Ireland Men v South Africa Men T20I series
• Wednesday 3 August: Ireland v South Africa, 1st T20I (Bristol)
• Friday 5 August: Ireland v South Africa, 2nd T20I (Bristol)
Ireland Men v Afghanistan T20I series
• Tuesday 9 August: Ireland v Afghanistan, 1st T20I (Stormont)
• Thursday 11 August: Ireland v Afghanistan, 2nd T20I (Stormont)
• Friday 12 August: Ireland v Afghanistan, 3rd T20I (Stormont)
• Monday 15 August: Ireland v Afghanistan, 4th T20I (Stormont)
• Wednesday 17 August: Ireland v Afghanistan, 5th T20I (Stormont)
TICKETS AND BROADCAST
Tickets are available to buy online at:
• For the South Africa series: www.eticketing.co.uk/glosccc/
• For the Afghanistan series: www.cricketireland.ie/tickets.
Broadcast details will be announced shortly, however, an announcement about radio and digital audio coverage has already been announced.
SPONSOR SUPPORT
Cricket Ireland would like to thank its primary team sponsor, Exchange22, for their support for Irish cricket.
