‘This is for every cricketer who’s ever played for Ireland’
Ireland skipper William Porterfield is mindful of all those who played cricket for Ireland who could never feature in a Test.
The captain is preparing to lead his team out for their first ever Test match with Pakistan joining the celebrations, although they will aim to play party pooper.
Pakistan are undoubtedly favourites but Porterfield believes his charges can cause an upset in Dublin.
“It would be remiss if we didn’t talk about everything that went before us,” he said on the eve of Ireland’s one-off Test against Pakistan at Malahide, Dublin.
“Not only over the last 5-10 years which everyone will probably remember most, but for every cricketer that’s ever played for Ireland.
“It’s been spoken about at length in the Irish dressing room.
“And the sense has begun to materialise that the 11 cricketers who will make their debuts tomorrow are part of a lineage that stretches way back beyond their own careers.”
Tomorow 11 of us will represent the 688 who have gone before us. Thank you for paving the way for us to fulfill our dreams. 🍀 pic.twitter.com/ahPmpgw9h9
— Andy Balbirnie (@balbo90) May 10, 2018
Porterfield was grateful for the opportunity to play in Ireland’s first Test describing the 11 as lucky.
“There’s a lot of people that have dedicated a lot of their lives to Irish cricket to make this day happen,” he said. “It culminates in us being lucky enough to be the ones that take the pitch for that first Test match.”