Mine's a Treble

ROBINS BOOK 44_Layout 1 23/04/2014 22:10 Page 1 MINE’S A TREBLE THE YEAR I FORSOOK THE PRESSBOX FOR THE PRESIDENCY ROBIN WALSH ROBINS BOOK 44_Layout 1 23/04/2014 22:10 Page 2 CRICKET WRITERS of IRELAND The Cricket Writers of Ireland is a small group of those who write about and photograph the game we love. Robin Walsh was President from the foundation of the organisation at Stormont in 2007 until he stepped down early in 2013 to take up the Presidency of Cricket Ireland. The CWI are immensely proud that one of our number should be recognised thus and doubly so that Robin filled the role with such dignity and commitment. It turned out to be both a tremendously successful year on the pitch and a historic one off it, and we are fortunate that a man with a trained eye and stylish pen was there to witness it all — and share it with us. Throughout his presidency Robin wrote a regular diary which appeared on the Cricket Ireland website but it clearly deserves a larger audience and a permanent place on the growing shelf of Irish cricketing literature. And that’s why you’re reading this now. ‘Mine’s a Treble’ © Robin Walsh May 2014 Published by the Cricket Writers of Ireland Designed and edited by Ger Siggins Photographs by Barry Chambers. Thanks also to Andrew Leonard 2 ROBINS BOOK 44_Layout 1 23/04/2014 22:10 Page 3 A Heartbreaking Defeat June 12th 2013 NE of the many delights of wearing since the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan Cricket Ireland’s Presidential blazer players in Lahore in 2009. In normal circum - is that it allows entry to hitherto no- stances - and financial considerations permit - go areas: like the players’ dressing ting - it would be an invitation gratefully room immediately after the two pulsating RSA accepted but in the current climate the matter Insurance One Day Internationals against Pak - will not be entirely in Ireland’s hands. istan at the Clontarf ground in Dublin. The next major test will be against England But it was a sombre place despite Ireland at the new look, expanded Malahide ground coming within an ace of registering a historic outside Dublin on September 3. It may be able 2-0 series victory. to accommodate up - There was sharp wards of 10,000 spec - disappointment tators, but the advice after the rare event is to buy tickets early. of a tie against the Thousands have al - world’s sixth ready been sold and ranked ODI coun - the two Pakistan try - it was even games have led to a sharper after the flood of requests. narrow two-wicket And let’s hope for a defeat three days buoyant dressing later. The silence room. on both occasions The day after the spoke volumes on Pakistan series, it was just how far Ire - off to Durham and land’s cricketers the Ireland Women’s Ohave travelled. Vic - latest encounter in tory against front - the ECB County line countries is Championship. now expected by Things have been National Coach Phil Simmons and his players - going well for the women under the guidance and the opposition know it. of coach and former international Jeremy Bray It is why more and more games at the high - and the captaincy of Isobel Joyce, witness pro - est level are imperative if Ireland is to achieve motion in the last two seasons to Division 2 of its stated aim of Test match status by 2020. the championship. But not so in Durham as Outside the four year cycle of World Cups, they they were bundled out for just 99 to lose by 19 are few and far between in the 50-over format runs - and how different family fortunes can and the hope now is that the derring-do in be. While brother Ed scored a century against Dublin may change attitudes within the world Pakistan the previous day, Isobel departed for game. a duck. It certainly has done the trick with Pakistani It was little consolation to the side that it 3 Embassy and team officials. They were keen to was only their second defeat from their first extend invitations to play in Pakistan which, of six matches in their new division. Like the course, has been bereft of international cricket men, they’ve got used to winning. ROBINS BOOK 44_Layout 1 23/04/2014 22:10 Page 4 a Popular Visitor June 26th 2013 HERE are no more popular tourists to and bowling of Bob Willis saw England to victory. these shores than the Australians and You believe Marsh implicitly when he tells you their “A” side, containing seven of the it was the only bet he never wanted to win and a forthcoming Ashes squad, proved no ex - chunk of the money went on a set of golf clubs ception during their week long sojourn in and a family holiday in Australia – including ho - Belfast. tels – for the coach driver. The weather may have been unkind to their One of the delights of taking the Pres - four-day game against an Ireland XI idential blazer strolling at Stormont yet sporting decla - round the boundary rations and three centuries line is chatting to – not least one in 63 some seriously balls from the Aus - interesting tralian opener Nic people: like Maddinson – made David and for fine cricket and Josie Jud - just reward for the son who patience of the less hail from than large crowds. the West Ireland lost by 93 Midland of runs but the sense England. was that cricket had Their won as both teams re - hobby is visiting laxed together privately over grounds which have post-match refreshments. And staged first class matches there was no more relaxed figure than one in the UK, Ireland and Holland TRodney Marsh, the legendary wicket-keeper and the trip to Stormont took them over the 400 batsmen with 96 Australian Tests to his name, mark. And if that’s not enough they’ve been to now aged 65 and one of his country’s three se - every racecourse in the UK and Ireland and lectors. every football ground in all divisions of the Eng - Time may have slowed him down, due mainly lish Football League down to the Conference to a knee replacement, but has not diminished League. We promised to meet again at the big his liking of a fine wine and a “real Irish Guin - RSA Ireland v England game at the newly-ex - ness” which go hand in hand with splendid remi - panded Malahide ground on September 3. niscences in his soft-spoken way: none more so Equally rewarding was the stroll around the than one of the most famous bets in sporting his - delightful Eglinton ground during the recent tory. nail-bitter that was the North-West v NCU three- It was the Ashes Test at Headingly in 1981 dayer in the excellent RSA Inter-Provincials. It when such was the hopeless England cause that was a pleasure to meet Holly Streak, girlfriend of late in the game the odds against them winning Lisburn’s Craig Ervine and daughter of that ex - were 500-1. It was a temptation that neither cellent Zimbabwe opening bowler Heath Streak. 4Marsh nor Dennis Lillie could resist and the team I regaled her with her father’s exploits on the coach driver placed £5 for the former and £10 same ground back in 2003 when he decimated for the latter. What happened, of course, is Ashes Ireland’s top order. history as the miraculous batting of Ian Botham She was best pleased. ROBINS BOOK 44_Layout 1 23/04/2014 22:10 Page 5 Dutch Treats July 12th 2013 T’S quite remarkable how emotions can take to two wheels and the cricketers were en - change so quickly. As the ball sailed high thusiastic converts as they made their way to over skipper William Porterfield’s head for and from the restaurants three miles away. the last ball six that gave The Netherlands a The birthday of Andrew White also pointed to never to be forgotten tie in Amsterdam, despair a team spirit that most other squads would swept through Ireland’s ranks. envy. It was fitting his 33rd birthday came on It was as though they had suffered defeat and the final day of the game when he top scored their World Cup qualification was in jeopardy. with 62 and completed his 223rd international, Within half an hour the mood had changed just three fewer than the record holder, his completely. In the quiet of the dressing room close friend and ex-team-mate Kyle McCallan. Phil Simmons and his men had taken stock: yet Fitting too that younger brother Richard and again they had qualified for the ICC World Cup, father Rowland were at the surprise birthday won the qualifying trophy outright and had just party, the latter on hand to picture the cutting of taken part in one of the most remarkable the cakes in his highly professional manner. matches that looked a lost cause for much of a But the party was soon over for five of the balmy afternoon. They were now a pretty happy squad which saw victory at Deventer. bunch as they basked in the media spotlight and Century maker John Anderson, Andrew Bal - mingled with the merry band of supporters birnie, Phil Eagleston, Stuart Poynter and Stuart who had travelled to see yet another chapter Thompson were to make way for the county written into the history of Irish cricket.

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