In the first instalment of the Don't Bowl There cricket blog for this week is an interview with Ireland Under 19 International and CSNI player, Harry Dyer. Within this article, Harry answers questions about his experience at the Under 19 World Cup along with what his goals are for the 2024 season with CSNI.
First, how did it feel whenever you received news that you would be heading off to South Africa for the Under 19's World Cup?
It was obviously a relief after working very hard with Jonty (Simon Johnston) and Jonesy (Nigel Jones) throughout the winter months leading up to the World Cup and it was nice to have something to show for all my hard work myself and the team have put in for the past year or so.
Obviously coming from a big cricket family and being at CSNI all your career, what impact did this have on your cricket?
I've played cricket from a very young age, whether that was in the back garden with my papa or up at Stormont with my dad. It's always been a big part of my life growing up and watching my dad every Saturday at Stormont. I think this just motivated me to do my best and want to play at the highest level that I could.
As a spin bowler, what did you think of the conditions in South Africa? Additionally, what advice were you given by coaching staff whenever you first landed in South Africa?
We were all gearing up to go to Sri Lanka, so us as a spin bowling group had our plans for there but then we had to change them slightly. We knew it would turn a bit in the second innings in SA, but we knew we would have to bowl flatter and into the pitch as anything too full and slow would be punished when playing on good pitches and against very talented cricketers.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during the World Cup?
I think it would have to be the intensity that all the training and matches were played at. We trained almost every day, and we had gym sessions in between. Recovery was essential to ensure peak performance over the course of the tournament. Going into the World Cup we knew it would be physically and mentally taxing, but I don't think anyone was fully prepared for how it actually was.
The match against Pakistan's Under 19's was one to remember for you Harry. Having scored 31 and recorded figures of 4/35, how did this experience make you feel?
With the four left handers in the top order, I knew there was a chance I'd get to play, I didn't really have many expectations going into the game, so I didn't feel much pressure when coming out to bat or bowl either. It was obviously nice to get a few runs and some wickets, but we had a chance to win and beat the favourites for the tournament. So, at the end of it, I had mixed emotions, but I definitely feel we should have won that match and tried to push a way into the semi-finals.
Looking back on your career so far, what coach or coaches do you feel have had the biggest impact on your cricket journey and is there any bits of advice they have offered you which you could share?
When I was younger it would always have been my dad and papa, but more recently Jonty and Jonesy would have had the biggest impact and helped me improve heading into the World Cup. The main message from both of them was to just enjoy it and take it all in, which stuck with me as it's a once in a lifetime experience and as long as I enjoyed myself the cricket look after itself.
With the 2024 NCU Premier League season fast approaching, what are your personal and team goals with CSNI?
Going into the next season, we as a team are looking to get some silverware as it has been a long time since the club has won anything. Personally, anything I can do to help the team and club achieve that and I'll be happy. Obviously runs and wickets would be nice to get as well. Still with having a young team this year again I think we will try and put more pressure on the youth to go and win matches for the club as we feel we should be doing that.
I'd like to thank Harry for taking the time to answer the questions and wish him all the best in the upcoming NCU season.
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