THE FINE MARGINS between success and failure in sport are so often defined by grasping an opportunity when one presents itself. There’s certainly more than an element of timing to it.
For Craig Young, all the pieces had fallen seamlessly into place.
His growth into a new ball bowler, with an uncomplicated action and a natural ability to garner pace and bounce, couldn’t have come at a more opportune moment. He was seen as the solution to Ireland’s bowling dilemma.
Boyd Rankin’s decision to decamp and the retirement of Trent Johnston had left Ireland’s fast-bowling ranks drained with the latter’s shoes, in particular, proving too big to fill - Young emerged as a genuine heir apparent.
But cricket, like no other sport, is a game of fluctuating fortunes. It possesses the ability to serve up thrilling highs followed by crushing lows in the blink of an eye.
In the space of a few short weeks, Young went from carrying his country’s World Cup hopes to carrying the drinks.
Having spearheaded the attack in the months leading up to the tournament, the 25-year-old was then forced to watch on as Ireland came agonisingly close to reaching the quarter-finals.
“It’s just cricket, it’s just the way it goes,” he says, looking back on those six weeks in Australia and New Zealand. ”It definitely was a disappointment but I don’t tend to look back too much.
After World Cup disappointment, Young has returned fitter and stronger. Seb Daly / SPORTSFILE
Seb Daly / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE
“You can’t dwell too much on these things and it makes you savour the successes more when they come your way. It was great to be out there and be part of that World Cup and it was an experience I’ll never forget.”
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For whatever reason, Phil Simmons, the then head coach, was reluctant to throw Young into the heat of the battle. It wasn’t unusual for him to revert to the tried and trusted when push came to shove but his decision baffled many.
As the tournament progressed, Ireland’s limited attack was exposed yet Young remained on the sidelines. Stuart Thompson – another World Cup debutant – was the one to get the nod when changes were made.
“I was never told what I was doing wrong,” Young revealed during an interview with The42 this week. “If I had been told something I didn’t agree with then it might have dented my confidence and I was told I was doing everything right in the nets.
“It felt like it was coming out well but it was down to the coach and the captain.”
It wasn’t the first time Young had suffered a setback.
A spate of injuries and variable form resulted in him being released by Sussex in 2013 as his undoubted potential threatened to expire. When it would have been easy to lose heart, the Bready seamer went away and returned to basics.
An intense winter spent Down Under under the tutelage of Craig McDermott – the Australian bowling coach – began to pay instant dividends as he rediscovered his form and fitness.
The Bready seamer's positivity is admirable. Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE
He became just the ninth player to take five wickets on One-Day International debut and then consolidated his place in the side by ending Ireland’s preparation tours as leading wicket-taker.
Perhaps everything fell into place too quickly. It’s speculative to think what would have happened if Young was given an opportunity with the ball but his positivity and confidence has remained undiluted.
“I’m in a good place at the minute but I’ve been in a good place since I moved home from England,” he continues.
“After the World Cup, it was great to get home and get straight into cricket. There wasn’t too much thinking time and the only way to get in the team is to keep doing well and that’s what I decided to do.
“I’ve always just wanted to impress people and that aspect has never really changed, I’ve always been hungry.”
If anything, Young has come out the other side even stronger. Seven wickets in the recent win over United Arab Emirates was further evidence that he is a bowler with all the attributes to be a potent weapon for Ireland.
Expectations can weigh heavy but Young has shoulders broad enough to carry the burden.
“He [Bracewell] has given me the licence to go out there and be aggressive and Porty [William Porterfield] has always been the same. I wouldn’t say I’ve been told to do anything different but it’s a great confidence boost when the coach has faith in you like that.”
As you would expect, there have been a couple of counties to register their interest in bringing Young back to England. He played a couple of second team games for Sussex at the start of the summer but has yet to hear back from the county since.
Young working with Brett Lee in Sydney before the World Cup. Barry Chambers / INPHO
Barry Chambers / INPHO / INPHO
There was a concrete approach from Leicestershire but for one reason or another, a move fell through. Either way, Young is keen to return to county cricket but his previous experience has made him wary of the uncertainty of the first-class circuit.
A Cricket Ireland contract has allowed him to settle down and concentrate on developing his game whilst managing the workload.
“If anything comes up then fair enough but I’m actually loving it here playing for Bready and the Warriors,” he says. “I’m working hard with the coaches and at the minute, I’m more than happy here.
“I have to be smart, given my history with injuries, and I’ll know if something isn’t right. I know my body and if I need to take a step back I will but there’s no better way to get better than bowling in matches.”
In contrast to those dispiriting six weeks during the winter, the unrelenting nature of the schedule has certainly allowed Young to build up a head of steam as the games come thick and fast.
The Ireland squad will reconvene next week ahead of the World Twenty20 Qualifiers before World champions Australia visit these shores in late August and Young is sure to play an integral part during a busy summer.
But he’s learnt not to take anything for granted and has used the experience to fuel his determination to carry the hopes of a nation.
'Experiencing World Cup disappointment makes me hungrier to carry Ireland's hopes'
THE FINE MARGINS between success and failure in sport are so often defined by grasping an opportunity when one presents itself. There’s certainly more than an element of timing to it.
For Craig Young, all the pieces had fallen seamlessly into place.
His growth into a new ball bowler, with an uncomplicated action and a natural ability to garner pace and bounce, couldn’t have come at a more opportune moment. He was seen as the solution to Ireland’s bowling dilemma.
Boyd Rankin’s decision to decamp and the retirement of Trent Johnston had left Ireland’s fast-bowling ranks drained with the latter’s shoes, in particular, proving too big to fill - Young emerged as a genuine heir apparent.
But cricket, like no other sport, is a game of fluctuating fortunes. It possesses the ability to serve up thrilling highs followed by crushing lows in the blink of an eye.
In the space of a few short weeks, Young went from carrying his country’s World Cup hopes to carrying the drinks.
Having spearheaded the attack in the months leading up to the tournament, the 25-year-old was then forced to watch on as Ireland came agonisingly close to reaching the quarter-finals.
“It’s just cricket, it’s just the way it goes,” he says, looking back on those six weeks in Australia and New Zealand. ”It definitely was a disappointment but I don’t tend to look back too much.
“You can’t dwell too much on these things and it makes you savour the successes more when they come your way. It was great to be out there and be part of that World Cup and it was an experience I’ll never forget.”
For whatever reason, Phil Simmons, the then head coach, was reluctant to throw Young into the heat of the battle. It wasn’t unusual for him to revert to the tried and trusted when push came to shove but his decision baffled many.
As the tournament progressed, Ireland’s limited attack was exposed yet Young remained on the sidelines. Stuart Thompson – another World Cup debutant – was the one to get the nod when changes were made.
“I was never told what I was doing wrong,” Young revealed during an interview with The42 this week. “If I had been told something I didn’t agree with then it might have dented my confidence and I was told I was doing everything right in the nets.
It wasn’t the first time Young had suffered a setback.
A spate of injuries and variable form resulted in him being released by Sussex in 2013 as his undoubted potential threatened to expire. When it would have been easy to lose heart, the Bready seamer went away and returned to basics.
An intense winter spent Down Under under the tutelage of Craig McDermott – the Australian bowling coach – began to pay instant dividends as he rediscovered his form and fitness.
He became just the ninth player to take five wickets on One-Day International debut and then consolidated his place in the side by ending Ireland’s preparation tours as leading wicket-taker.
Perhaps everything fell into place too quickly. It’s speculative to think what would have happened if Young was given an opportunity with the ball but his positivity and confidence has remained undiluted.
“I’m in a good place at the minute but I’ve been in a good place since I moved home from England,” he continues.
“I’ve always just wanted to impress people and that aspect has never really changed, I’ve always been hungry.”
If anything, Young has come out the other side even stronger. Seven wickets in the recent win over United Arab Emirates was further evidence that he is a bowler with all the attributes to be a potent weapon for Ireland.
At a time when the bowling resources are threadbare, his worth is unquestionable and Simmons’ successor, John Bracewell, is all too aware of it.
Expectations can weigh heavy but Young has shoulders broad enough to carry the burden.
“He [Bracewell] has given me the licence to go out there and be aggressive and Porty [William Porterfield] has always been the same. I wouldn’t say I’ve been told to do anything different but it’s a great confidence boost when the coach has faith in you like that.”
As you would expect, there have been a couple of counties to register their interest in bringing Young back to England. He played a couple of second team games for Sussex at the start of the summer but has yet to hear back from the county since.
There was a concrete approach from Leicestershire but for one reason or another, a move fell through. Either way, Young is keen to return to county cricket but his previous experience has made him wary of the uncertainty of the first-class circuit.
A Cricket Ireland contract has allowed him to settle down and concentrate on developing his game whilst managing the workload.
“If anything comes up then fair enough but I’m actually loving it here playing for Bready and the Warriors,” he says. “I’m working hard with the coaches and at the minute, I’m more than happy here.
In contrast to those dispiriting six weeks during the winter, the unrelenting nature of the schedule has certainly allowed Young to build up a head of steam as the games come thick and fast.
The Ireland squad will reconvene next week ahead of the World Twenty20 Qualifiers before World champions Australia visit these shores in late August and Young is sure to play an integral part during a busy summer.
But he’s learnt not to take anything for granted and has used the experience to fuel his determination to carry the hopes of a nation.
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