Little’s Quest for Redemption
Josh Little aims to showcase his talent to Indian fans in Ireland’s T20 World Cup opener against India in New York. The Irish left-arm fast bowler had limited opportunities in the Indian Premier League (IPL) last season, playing just one match for Gujarat Titans on May 4. Despite picking up impressive figures of 4-45, Little spent most of the tournament on the sidelines and is eager to make an impact in Wednesday’s game.
“Do I want to? Yes, 100%,” Little told BBC Sport. “It’s not ideal playing one game, but I thought I took my chance.” He believes the larger boundaries in New York will provide a different challenge for the Indian batsmen compared to the IPL.
Sharing Tactical Insights
Little plans to leverage his IPL experience by sharing tactical insights about India’s players with his teammates, hoping to give Ireland an edge. “I’ve got a fair bit of knowledge from the two seasons in the IPL that I’m happy to share with the lads,” he said. “I’ve had a good few questions. Little things here and there that hopefully I can add that 1%.”
Overcoming Early Challenges
Little’s international career nearly derailed before it began. He once skipped an interprovincial match for Leinster Lightning to attend Electric Picnic, a popular festival. “All my friends were going,” Little recalled. “I just messaged my coach and said ‘I’m not available this weekend.’”
A pivotal conversation with then-Ireland coach Graham Ford changed Little’s trajectory. Ford saw potential in Little and urged him to focus on cricket, leading Little to overhaul his lifestyle. “From that moment on, I lost about 20 kilos and basically stopped drinking,” he said. “That was the turning point in my career.”
Developing a Unique Bowling Style
Little’s approach to bowling has always been unconventional. As a youngster, he practiced with a tennis ball in the nets at Pembroke Cricket Club, which led him to develop his wrist-flicking technique due to limited run-up space. This unique action, reminiscent of South Asian tapeball players, has become his “point of difference” in white-ball cricket.
Key to Irish Hopes
The pitch at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium favored bowlers in the first match, with South Africa dismissing Sri Lanka for 77. Little’s speed and unique bowling style could be crucial for Ireland in their bid for an upset against India.(cricket betting app)