SOMERSET, England – The Ireland Men’s senior squad have been preparing for the upcoming series against Zimbabwe with a training camp at Millfield School in Somerset, and first-team wicket keeper Lorcan Tucker has been enjoying the facilities and a break from playing after the South Africa series to take stock of his game.
Tucker, 24, has featured 42 times for Ireland since his debut in 2016 – becoming Ireland’s first-choice keeper in 2020. He struck his highest score for Ireland in January this year – 83 against Afghanistan in a World Cup Super League match in Abu Dhabi – and has 39 dismissals behind the stumps to date.
Speaking from Millfield School, he said:
“We've been delighted with the facilities so far at Millfield and Mark Garraway (Millfield’s Director of Cricket) has been very good to us. There's not much the school can't offer us with centre wickets, nets, and indoor facilities available all week which is excellent.”
“Saying that, we were washed out for most of yesterday, but we were lucky enough to have the indoor facilities ready to hand when we needed it. Today, the weather was better, so everyone was able to get through their full allotment of batting, bowling and fielding skills. With such a breadth of space and resources, we can indulge a little and spend a bit more time on those crucial ‘1 percenters’.”
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In what has been a busy period for Ireland Men’s cricketers, how has Tucker enjoyed the short break between international commitments?
“For myself, it was nice to have a rest after the South Africa series to try and reset, especially with the busy schedule up to and including the World Cup. I think there's always time to reflect on your own game and see where you can improve. This week in Millfield is a good chance for me to try and implement some of those new skills and ideas I’ve had over the last few weeks, and hopefully, it'll lead to improved performances down the line.”
Richard Holdsworth, High Performance Director for Cricket Ireland, said:
“As part of our squad’s preparations for the important Zimbabwe series later this month, we were keen to lock in a solid week’s training camp at a venue with high-quality facilities and residential options close by. I’d like to thank Mark Garraway and Millfield School for hosting the squad and supporting what has been a great week so far on the centre wicket, nets and indoor facilities.”
“The opportunity to spend time together in the lead up to the Zimbabwe matches will hopefully put the squad in good stead, particularly allowing an opportunity for team bonding, especially for the newer members of the squad. The last 18 months have been so unusual for all concerned, that we believe opportunities like this training camp will be beneficial not only in a physical sense, but mentally as well. The bubble life, for all of its necessary outcomes, does hinder that normal sense of collegiality in a team sport like ours, and I know the guys have appreciated the opportunity greatly.”
The training squad at Millfield this week includes
Andrew Balbirnie, Kevin O’Brien, Harry Tector, George Dockrell, Lorcan Tucker, Simi Singh, Barry McCarthy, Curtis Campher, Josh Little, Neil Rock, William Porterfield, William McClintock, Graham Hume, Ben White, Andy McBrine, Shane Getkate, Craig Young, Graham Kennedy, Mark Adair, Tom Mayes.
