The Need for Speed

Inaugural Find a Fast Bowler competition for girls in February

Cricket Leinster’s Find a Fast bowler competition has been running since 2006 when Terenure’s Darren Nicol became the first winner. It was begun when there was a shortage of fast bowlers in the boys’ and men’s game; this was a way to find raw talent and encourage out and out fast bowlers. The same could be said about the women's game now so Cricket Leinster see this new competition as a way of identifying and encouraging potential fast bowlers.

“What you tend to see in the girls and women’s game in this province is a sacrifice of pace for accuracy. This works well in most cricket until you get to the top level, and then the accuracy isn’t enough, you need something else to be a top bowler - swing, pace, turn, something to set you apart,” says Cricket Leinster Women and Girls’ Development Officer Isobel Joyce.

“We are running two fast-bowling masterclasses on February Tuesday 16^th in Merrion Cricket Club. Developing fast bowlers can get training and tips from arguably Ireland’s fastest bowler David Delany, and from Senior Women’s Internationals pacer Orla Prendergast.

“Later in the week, any female between the ages of 13 and 21 who is not a member of the Ireland Senior or Academy squad can enter the Find a Fast Bowler competition which will take place in Merrion on Thursday the 18^th where the adjudicators will decide who will win a €150 voucher.”

An illustrious panel will be observing the entrants. Former Ireland captain Miriam Grealey will be looking for the type of fast bowler she remembers from back in the day, bowlers like Sue Bray and Barbara McDonald. Ed Joyce will be joining her, no doubt with the added interest of trying to find a future star for his Ireland team. The panel will be rounded out by former winner of the men’s edition of the competition, David Delany, who will have seen some of the entrants earlier in the week.

“We are looking for bowlers to try to bowl as quickly as they can,” emphasised Isobel. “It’s not about accuracy or change-ups, it’s not about having the perfect technique or action, we’re looking for potential and a desire to get the ball down the other end in the shortest time possible. All of the other skills can be taught once the pace is there.”

To sign up for one of the two fast bowling masterclasses, follow the links below:

Fast-Bowling 1 - https://buytickets.at/cricketleinster/466803

Fast-Bowling 2 - https://buytickets.at/cricketleinster/466806