The countdown to the new cricket season has begun and for Glamorgan that means two warm-up games – against Cardiff UCCE and then Somerset – before the County Championship gets underway against Yorkshire at Headingley on April 8. Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie’s chance to return to Glamorgan was an opportunity to seize, as he told Fraser Watson.
For Andrew Balbirnie, a huge year lies ahead.
But the current Irish captain wasn’t prepared to sit around and wait for things happen.
Indeed, having starred for Glamorgan in last season’s T20 campaign, Balbirnie has returned to Cardiff as short term batting cover for the beginning of the 2021 county season.
The signing has followed the news that Glamorgan’s Australian duo of Marnus Labuschagne and Michael Neser are not likely to be available before May – a development the 30-year-old was more than happy to capitalise on.
“I’m really happy to be back,” he told Dai Sport.
“It came about quickly. I wasn’t really sure what the summer had in store for me as domestic cricket in Ireland doesn’t start back until May.
“So, knowing the counties were going to struggle to get many overseas players with the Covid-19 travel restrictions, I knew there was an opportunity to potentially come over.
“Thankfully, Glamorgan came calling and having been there at the end of last summer, and getting to know some of the guys and the coaching staff, it was a no-brainer when they offered me a contract.”
This time around, however, things will be different.
Balbirnie hit 255 runs, with a top score of 99 not out, during the Welsh county’s T20 exploits last season. Now, though, it’s the opening four-day County Championship group games he’ll be available for.
It’s a format he hasn’t experienced since playing for Ireland against at England at Lord’s in July 2019, a Test match which, for the hosts, served as a prelude to the Ashes series that summer.
And yet, the chance to get back into the longer stuff is one he’s clearly relishing. So much so, that he was determined not to go into Glamorgan’s opening game at Yorkshire on April 8th unprepared.
“Four day cricket is particularly tough going in England and Wales in April and May time,” he said.
“It suits the bowlers. So, I wanted to get over here by mid-March to do as much prep as I could.
“I didn’t want to sit in Dublin going through the motions – I wanted to come over here and test myself. The opportunity for a run of first class cricket was something that was too good to turn down because it’s my favourite form of the game and I feel fortunate to have this chance.”
But while his immediate priorities surround hitting form against the red ball, Balbirnie – who has skippered Ireland since succeeding William Porterfield (Test and ODI) and Gary Wilson (T20) in November 2019 – knows that huge challenges against the white ball also lie in wait.
In October, he will lead his country in the T20 World Cup in India, and there is also the small matter of aiming to qualify for the 50-over version to be held in 2023.
Last summer, Balbirnie struck a famous century in Ireland’s solitary win over England in their three match ODI series, and readily accepts a defining period lies ahead for his tenure as captain at international level.
He also has some unfinished personal business to address, too.
“Firmly, the goal for us is to get out of the pre-group we’re in at the T20 World Cup.
Balbo, but in whites. 💪#GoGlam pic.twitter.com/bTw3hVXuOV
— Glamorgan Cricket 🏏 (@GlamCricket) March 22, 2021
“The top two teams (from three) go into the main event and that’s what we’re striving for. We have a young and inexperienced squad and the likes of Gary Wilson have retired, but we had a chance to build with our tour to the UAE in January and things are going to be interesting but also exciting.
“I went to the last T20 World Cup in India but didn’t actually play as I picked up an injury – but I certainly got a sense of occasion. I’m hoping we will all get to have a good summer of high quality cricket to lead us into the main event.”
Long term, there is another international goal to aim for. Having been awarded Test match status in 2017, the Irish have played three isolated games – all of which ended in defeat – against Pakistan, Afghanistan, and England respectively.
Balbirnie says that regular fixtures in that format hold the key to further progression.
“Playing more Test cricket is very important to us and it’s the best form of the game in my opinion.
“It’s been a shame in a way as we’ve had three Test matches and have been in with a chance to win the game each time. But they’ve been spread out over three years which has been a huge frustration.
Delighted to be back @GlamCricket for the start of the season, looking forward to getting started.
Happy St Patrick’s day everyone ☘️ https://t.co/DDFK4Dpxcg
— Andy Balbirnie (@balbo90) March 17, 2021
“We’ve had a taste of how good it is to be Test cricketers and it’s a level we want to be tested at. For this coming summer and winter we have to concentrate on the white ball matches but I’m very hopeful we can play more Test cricket in the near future.”
For the immediate future, however, Balbirnie’s focus centres around Glamorgan.
He acknowledges that being brought in on a short term deal brings its own pressure – and that’s something he’s keen to embrace. It’s also why he wasn’t prepared to simply rock up on the eve of the new season.
“When a county brings you in as their overseas professional it definitely brings pressure as they expect you to do a job.
“I’ve batted at No.3 in the last few years at international level, which is nice recognition, but I’m keen now to do a job here.
“Having not played a lot of red ball cricket, I wanted to arrive three or four weeks before the first Championship game to get out on the grass and get a feel of the conditions.
“Personally, I feel in a good place and I’m looking forward to hopefully hitting the ground running.”
Glamorgan players, coaching staff, and supporters will be hoping the same.
And if Balbirnie can have the same impact on the four-day squad as he did with the T20 one last year – then both club and country stand to benefit.
A big nine-month period is in store for the man from Dublin – and he’s ready for it.