‘We’ve had a lot of fun’ – Finn Hulbert on leading Ireland to Tape Ball World Cup finals day

T10 Tape Ball World Cup at Liverpool College

Irish eyes are smiling ahead of the finals day of the first Tape Ball World Cup on Sunday.

Finn Hulbert’s men bounced back from an opening defeat to Sri Lanka to qualify for the showpiece event.

They did it the hard way against Pakistan, Sean Ryan hitting the winning boundary off the last of the 60 balls, after half-centuries from the captain and Rob Rankin led their chase of 176.

Things were more comfortable against India, thanks to an unbeaten 75 from Matt Kennerley-Ryan, which got them over the line with 10 balls to spare.

Finn Hulbert

Hulbert said: “The Sri Lanka game was a wake-up call, they were good.

“We got 150 then had them 3/3 in the first over but they had a bit of a fightback.

“I think everyone was just learning how to bowl with a tape ball then – I played a bit growing up, so I was lucky in that sense.

“But everyone else learned pretty quickly.

“Last Friday against Pakistan was unbelievable. There was a brilliant crowd down and it went right down to the last ball, so that was pretty exciting.

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“Then Sri Lanka beating Pakistan meant we just had to beat India and it was good to get over the line.”

Hulbert says the short tournament, being held at Liverpool College, has been enjoyable on and off the pitch.

“We’ve had a lot of fun,” he said. “No one’s really said a bad word and that’s been reflected on the pitch.”

As well as a welcome break from the regular pace of league cricket, the tournament has also been an eye-opener about how much talent there is out there.

Ireland and Sri Lanka will be joined on Sunday by Afghanistan and either England or Bangladesh, who face off tonight.

It means Liverpool’s Asian community will provide at least half the players on finals day, despite being under-represented in the established Love Lane Liverpool Competition clubs.

Liverpool CC all-rounder Hulbert said: “I think the energy and excitement that they bring to the tape ball competition is something that has surprised a lot of the lads who play in the Comp.

“And you know, it’s a level playing field. You’re playing with a taped-up tennis ball and a bat, and that’s it.

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“It’s quite raw, a bit jumpers-for-goalposts, and it’s open to everyone.

“And I think in any sense, when you break down the barriers, you start to learn something new about the community you live in. That’s been really positive.”

Ireland will probably face Afghanistan in the semi-final, and Hulbert – who knows a lot of the Afghan players from Liverpool CC – is prepared for a tough game.

“They’re brilliant when they’re at the club,” he said. 

“They’ve been brilliant in the winter indoor league and they look very good at the tape ball as well.

“I think it’s just a case of trying to put in a performance, but you’ve got to respect your opposition at the same time.

“If it’s as fun as it has been for the last couple of weeks, I’m sure it’ll be a great day either way.”

Hulbert – who qualifies for Ireland via his grandmother – was keen to praise tournament organiser Sam Goodall-Walker, from World in One City, who is working alongside Academy North.

He said: “Sam has been brilliant. He’s brought the energy required to get it up and running.

“It’s been a far more professional event than I think most people thought, and that’s made everything better.”

from Merseyside Cricket Online https://ift.tt/PxJwU2c