Balbirnie: Franchise raids on Ireland gamers will likely be ‘knock-on impact of excellent cricket’

Speaking at Lord’s on the eve of his staff’s one-off encounter with England, Balbirnie acknowledged the immensity of the problem that awaits Ireland this week – not merely in going through down an opposition that has gained 10 of its final 12 Tests in thrilling type, however in placing to 1 facet the essential World Cup Qualifiers which are looming in Zimbabwe later in June.

And whereas Little’s absence has attracted ire, notably from Ireland’s efficiency director, Richard Holdsworth, Balbirnie insists that his star bowler continues to be doing his bit to place Irish cricket on the world map and that, given the course of journey for worldwide cricket, it will not be lengthy earlier than extra of his greatest gamers are in comparable demand elsewhere on the franchise circuit.

“That is something that happens above me and I’ve got to support what’s best for Josh,” Balbirnie stated. “Do I want him in my team? Of course I do. He’s a brilliant bowler in the white-ball format. We’ve seen that on the biggest stage.

“Josh is Josh. We as a staff wish to promote Irish cricket as greatest we will once we’re on the pitch, however he is additionally doing that himself with what he is attaining on the world stage. What he’s doing in the mean time is simply good for Irish cricket, and the event of gamers developing via the ranks.

“I’m sure he does [want to play Test cricket], but I know how busy he is and the pressures that the IPL brings. He doesn’t want to get back from a game in front of 100,000 people with me saying, ‘Do you fancy 12 overs next week at Lord’s?’ You need to give him his space as well, and make sure that he’s in a good frame of mind.”

Little completed his maiden IPL marketing campaign with seven wickets in ten matches, and fought his method again into the beginning line-up for the play-offs and ultimate, even after lacking a fortnight in early May to play in Ireland’s ODI collection in opposition to Bangladesh.

“He’s yet to play a Test match, but we know he’s pretty adaptable and he’s had a hectic schedule,” Balbirnie added. “I understand completely that he’s got to focus on resting up and getting ready for our World Cup Qualifier, which we head off for next week.”

But, as Balbirnie conceded, success on the worldwide stage – whether or not that comes via qualification for the 50- and 20-over World Cups, or via particular person feats at Lord’s this week – might nicely include spin-off advantages for the gamers concerned, even when it is not completely within the pursuits of Ireland’s worldwide ambitions.

“The T20 World Cup opened a few doors to people. Lorcan played in that ILT20 at the start of the year and impressed a lot of people.

“I am unable to have any qualms about that as a result of we try to play and entertain individuals and promote our sport. The knock-on impact of that’s these guys are going to get publicity to [franchise] leagues.

“Who knows what is going to happen in the next couple of years? We have to create a player-base in our country so if that does happen, and certain players miss certain Irish games, we have to make sure that there isn’t a drop in standard when we bring a player in.

“We do not have the numbers that England, Australia, India have – in my profession I do not assume we ever will. But in our small pool of gamers, we’ve to ensure they’re all in control with what we try to do

“Things like this will continue to happen. Josh played in an IPL final in his first IPL appearance, I’m not stupid, he’s going to get picked up by other leagues and we are going to have this situation again, but he still wants to play for Ireland. I’ve spoken to him and he still loves playing for this team.

“But there are alternatives for him, and there will likely be for others. We simply should guarantee that whoever comes into our group is in control and able to go.”