Balbirnie relishes Glamorgan chance
Clear goal:
ANDREW Balbirnie has arrived in Cardiff to begin a six-week stint as Glamorgan’s overseas professional.
The Ireland captain, who played for the Welsh county in last year’s Bob Willis Trophy, is an early-season replacement for Marcus Labuschagne, whose arrival has been delayed because the domestic season in Australia has been extended to the end of April due to Covid-19.
Balbirnie, who played one County Championship match for Middlesex in 2012, will have the chance to play at least four for Glamorgan, with the first set to begin on April 8 against Yorkshire at Headingley, but before that he will be involved in two three-day friendly clashes against Cardiff University and Somerset.
Speaking from Cardiff yesterday, Balbirnie said: “It’s a brilliant opportunity to play red-ball
Andrew Balbirnie cricket, and the County Championship is historically one of the best first-class competitions in the world.
“I really enjoyed my time in Wales last season and, having done pretty well last year for Glamorgan, there was always the chance (I would return). I obviously knew Marcus was signed here but when the opportunity came about I didn’t think twice.
“First-class cricket is the biggest test, but we haven’t played a Test match in almost two years. Four-day cricket is my love, my favourite format of the game, and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Cricket Ireland had no objections to releasing Balbirnie once the planned tour to Zimbabwe this month was postponed, although it does confirm that Ireland will not be getting any replacement matches before they head to the Netherlands for three World Cup Super League games at the start of June.