On Sunday Waringstown play Instonians in the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup Final. Some of Ireland's best young players will be playing. Today Cover Point profiles and interviews one of them, Waringstown's, 20-year-old Lee Nelson.
Profile: Lee Nelson
Date of Birth: 5/12/90
Place of Birth: Craigavon
Club: Waringstown CC
Bats: Right hand top order
Bowls: Off spin
Lee Nelson
Lee, it's been a good season so far for you. Picking up the MoM award in the Challenge Cup Final this season was obviously a highlight especially after this was your 3rd senior final and having lost the previous two?
I guess you could say 3rd time lucky!! The previous finals hurt badly when I was on the losing side so to finally come out on top meant a lot, not only to me but the club as a whole.
And then, just 2 days later, you scored your first senior century when you scored 107* against Bangor, at The Lawn?
That was more relief than anything, I' d been out in the 90's so many times in the premier league, and it was starting to play on me. I had scored hundreds all through the ranks so I knew I was capable of it, was just good to get that monkey off my back.
Things seem to have clicked this season for you -what's made the difference this season compared to say last year?
I'd say I'm comfortably 50% percent fitter and stronger than last year and that for me has been the major factor without question. Batting with Obus Pienaar has also been a huge privilege.
What do you think has been your best innings in your career to date - is it the 55 against South Africa in the 2010 U19 WC?
Yes I'd say so, as it's the best opposition probably that I've got a half century against.
It's been a good year for the NCU - What young players have impressed you in the NCU this year?
If we can still put him in the young category, James Shannon has played easily the best 2 innings this year against us that I can remember; class act and brilliant attitude towards batting. Closer to home Adam Dennison is very much in the same bracket, for a 14 year old he has incredible maturity and knows his own game very well and doesn't give his wicket away.
Waringstown obviously had a great pro this year in Obus Pienaar - was he a good influence around the Club? And the NCU?
He was phenomenal, on and off the pitch, cracking player and real good guy to have around. He gave all of our young players the freedom to play their shots and that's bred the whole way down the club. I can never remember a cricketer having such an impact on local cricket, even people that didn't know cricket knew Obus Pienaar. Was a massive help to myself.
What areas of your game are you keen to improve? Is getting a contract with an English county an ambition of yours?
I think you're always keen to improve areas of your game, hard to single out a specific part. As for county cricket to be honest I'd prefer to be on a full time Cricket Ireland contract than be across the water. Some may disagree but that's probably just the way I'm inclined. Irish cricket is in a great place and I'd love to be a part of it moving forward.
What are your cricket ambitions for the next 12 months?
First and foremost to add to the trophies we have already gained at the Lawn, perform well and keep knocking on the selectors' door. That's all you can do really. Do what you need to do and everything else will take care of itself.
I guess you'd like to get into the Ireland squad at some point - it's a big step up and hard to break into, though?
Of course it is, it would be worrying if it wasn't like that, but I think any young player who's playing in Ireland at the moment is desperate to be a part of what's going on. To play in a world cup is a massive incentive for everybody involved in the set-up, it'll obviously take a lot of hard work to break into the squad but all you can do is perform well and stick your hand up.
What approach will Waringstown take into the final given that both sides know each other inside-out?
I think the same approach that we've taken all season that has got us this far. If Instonians go on to win the cup they'll have deserved it, for we won't be leaving anything on the pitch, we've shown great character in how we've dealt without Obus and I expect that to be the same in the final.
Finally Lee, Waringstown haven't won the Irish Senior Cup since 1992 - what would winning the competition mean to the Club?
I think it would mean everything. Cricket is a religion in Waringstown, there's nothing but the cricket so the whole village is just born and bred into it, much like Donemana. It would be all the more pleasing for all the people who help out around the place and keep it in such good order; it means every bit as much if not more to the supporters than it does to the players.
There's grounds men there all day every day, from the craziest of hours just to keep it all running smoothly, it really is a pleasure to play there. We've stuck to our guns in producing our own players and trusting in our youth and I think you can see the benefits from it. Bar Kyle, every single member of our team in the semi final played in our u13's, and that creates a real team bond, so you're playing with your mates as well. We'll certainly be giving it everything and hopefully repay all the senior members who put in all those hours of hard work and often go un-noticed! It won't be easy by any means, but we'll give it a real good go.
Lee Nelson in conversation with Liam Rooney
