The more Irish that can get into leagues the better

TECTOR CAN’T WAIT TO HIT BARBADOS

Within minutes Pandya’s unexpected reply went viral and a story was born …

Fantastic

“I went and looked for him afterwards; obviously he is only 22, he played some fantastic shots,” smiled Pandya before revealing, “I’ve given him a bat as well, so maybe he can score more sixes and maybe get an IPL contract.

“I wish him luck. Just look after him well, give him the right guidance. It’s not always about cricket; it’s about understanding your whole lifestyle and what there is at stake.

“If you can manage that, I’m sure he’s going to be around, not just in IPL, in all the leagues in the world.”

One suspects the Indian captain was playing to the gallery, being polite to plucky hosts because Tector is hardly on the verge of a €500k IPL contact.

But then wheels can work within wheels and there is no such thing as bad publicity: Pandya had put Tector’s name front and centre.

Indian businessman Manoj Badale is the owner of IPL franchise Rajistan Royals (squad budget €10.8 million) and, not so well known, co-owner of Caribbean Super League franchise Barbados Royals.

The Royals were looking for a partial replacement for young Afghan star Mujeeb Ur Rahman ahead of the 2022 CPL and Tector rang more than just a bell with them.

The Dubliner had scored three consecutive 50s in a three-game, 2-1, One-Day series win against the West Indies the previous January.

The young Dubliner got the call and can’t wait to take up the opportunity.

“I’m mostly looking forward to playing with some great players in a different environment and in different conditions,” says Tector.

Valuable

“It will be valuable experience to gain before the T20 World Cup in Australia this October, an amazing opportunity for me to improve my game.

“I think the more Irish players that can get into these leagues the better, because it can only stand to our benefit to be learning in those different environments.

“To learn from other players and other coaches will be greatly beneficial as it will allow us to bring back knowledge for the Irish squad.”

Setting out this week and ahead of two games against South Africa, Tector had previously made 37 T20 appearances for Ireland.

And from which he had smashed 673 runs at a strike rate of 131.18 and an average of 24.92.

Ireland international captain Andrew Balbirnie has seen the professional game first-hand at Middlesex and Glamorgan and he believes Tector is showing real potential.

“Harry has had an amazing summer, he obviously had a really good 50 against India in that first T20 and