Fast bowler Josh Little has a deep passion for Test cricket and is determined to represent Ireland in the format in the future.
Ireland is preparing to announce their squad for a one-off Test against Zimbabwe in Belfast from July 25-29. However, Little will not be included in the lineup. At 24, Little is one of the most promising talents in Irish cricket, capable of bowling at speeds exceeding 90mph, which would make him a valuable addition to the Irish Test team.
Despite Ireland playing seven Tests since becoming a full member of the International Cricket Council in June 2017, Little has yet to make his debut in the longer format. Last summer, Cricket Ireland defended his absence from the squad for a one-off Test against England at Lord's.
So far, Little has focused on white-ball cricket and has become a regular on the global franchise circuit, including the lucrative Indian Premier League. However, he has always been passionate about playing for Ireland and has vowed to make himself available for Tests in the future.
Little shared with BBC Sport that he has planned to focus on franchise cricket for the next two years before turning his attention to Test cricket. He assured fans that playing Tests is something he is passionate about and guaranteed that he would play in the format at some point.
Balancing franchise opportunities and national duties can be challenging, but Little appreciates Cricket Ireland's support. He played in last month's T20 World Cup for Ireland, where the team, led by Paul Stirling, faced a disappointing performance, including a shocking defeat by Canada.
Little is currently awaiting his debut for the Los Angeles Knight Riders in Major League Cricket, a franchise tournament in the United States now in its second season. He expressed concerns about the risk of injury from playing a Test match without sufficient preparation, which partly explains his decision to delay playing the format.
He highlighted the extensive preparation required for a Test match, noting that bowlers often need to build up to 30-40 overs a week over six weeks. With only six first-class games in his career, Little believes it would be dangerous to rush into Test cricket without adequate preparation. He plans to transition when he feels ready, even if that means waiting another year or two, allowing him potentially ten years in Test cricket if his body holds up.
The upcoming match at Stormont will be the first time Test cricket is staged in Northern Ireland. Ireland's players have been preparing with a four-day internal match at Malahide called the Emerald Challenge, marking the first domestic first-class match in Ireland since 2019.
Little acknowledged the challenges faced by Irish players due to the lack of regular first-class cricket, especially since they are no longer eligible to play in the County Championship in England as domestic players. He believes that without the infrastructure and consistent first-class experience, Ireland will continue to struggle in Tests.
He pointed out that all top teams have well-established infrastructures that have been in place for a long time, which is crucial for consistent performance at the highest level.