Andy Balbirnie captained the Ireland under-19 side at the recent ICC World Cup in New Zealand. The top order batsman and off-spinner joined the MCC Young Cricketers this season.

CP: How did the connection with the MCC Young Cricketers come about and why did you decide to go over to England?

AB: There were many people who helped organise the young cricketers for me. Brian O'Rourke, Mark Garraway and Phil Simmons all helped make this possible. I decided that it was the best option for me to further my cricket career.

CP: What is your daily routine?
 
AB: Our main job is to play cricket, we have four days a week of matches. When test match days come around there are many different jobs we have to do, like work in the shop or on the covers or at the turnstiles.

CP: How much training do you do and what is the training like?

AB. Because we play so many games we don't train that much but when we do we normally net on the nursery ground, or do various strength and conditioning exercises.

 
CP: Have you met any famous cricketers and what were they like?

AB: Because we are involved in the professional set-up we come across a few famous names: when it comes to cricket they are like anyone else, they play hard and enjoy it and are willing to help you if you ask them.

 
CP: Are you involved in a league competition?

AB: We are involved in the Second X1 Championship so we play against all the county second teams in a one day competition and also in three day matches.
 
 
CP: Would you, in future, like to play cricket professionally, have you thought that far ahead?
 
AB: Yes definitely, I wouldn't be over here if I didn't. It's a big shop window playing for the young cricketers.  We play against various counties who could be looking out for young talent. 

CP: What is it like being away from Ireland, your family and friends?

AB: It was tough at the start but after a while it was easy to settle in and meet new people, the lads are easy to get along with so there were no problems. Obviously I miss family and friends, but they all know that this is what I wanted so they are fine.

CP: What's next in terms of the Ireland scene, when will you next be playing?
 
AB: It's not really up to me to be honest its up to the coaches and selectors. If, and hopefully I am, picked for any Irish team I will be thrilled to play as anyone else would be. But at the moment my main focus is to work hard on my game in Lords and take it to the next level.

CP: How many games do you hope to play for Pembroke and how will you fit those with your commitments there?
 
AB: My priorities have to be with the MCC but whenever I am available I would love to get back and help the 'Broke' get back to div 1 where we belong.

 
CP: Have you made any big scores, taken wickets there yet? 
 
AB: No big scores as yet a couple of fifties and a few forties, but I'm really working on pushing on from my starts and getting that big score. So hopefully the big scores will start to come. And in the bowling department I have been working very hard on improving this area of my game and becoming a better all rounder.

 
CP: What are your ambitions for the season?
 

AB: My main aims are to get into the Irish team and take my chance if I get it. Also, I want to make some big scores for the MCC Young Cricketers and contribute to a successful season with them.

CP: Thanks Andy, and good luck with all of that.........................

                                                     By Rupert Heather

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