Craig Young says he experienced a "rush of emotions" after being included in the Ireland squad for the historic Test match against England later this month.
Young was asleep at home following a training session when an unexpected phone call arrived from Andrew White, Chairman of National Men's Selectors, and the North West Warriors and North Down fast bowler is now in line to make his Test debut at Lord's after missing out on the previous Tests against Pakistan and Afghanistan.
"It really took a few minutes after I'd hung up for it to sink in. It came as a shock and a huge relief at the same time. This game had been on my mind for a long time and it was just a huge rush of emotions that all the hard work and sleepless nights have been worth it.
"The occasion is enormous for cricket in Ireland. If you’d have told any of us a few years ago that Ireland would be playing against England in a Test at Lord’s, they’d have called you crazy."
"It’s such a massive honour to be in the squad and the chance to represent everyone in Irish cricket from past players to supporters in this most special place. Lord’s is the Home of Cricket, so doesn’t really get any better than that in my eyes."
Young has represented Ireland 43 times since making his debut at the age of 23 in 2013, but had fallen down the pecking order after struggling for form over the past 12 months. Yet after working hard to get back to his best, Young is one of four Ireland players who will be hoping to make their Test debut against England, with Mark Adair, Lorcan Tucker and Simi Singh also in the 14-man squad for the four-day Test, which runs from 24-27 July.
Before travelling to London, the squad have an opportunity to impress during the T20 Internationals against Zimbabwe, which start tomorrow in Stormont before moving to Bready for the second and third matches.
"I can’t wait to get going in the T20s. It’s the most difficult format I feel as you can bowl well and still get whacked. So, I’m just going to enjoy it and take it all in."
"I feel that I now have the best control of the white ball that I’ve ever had, which I’d put largely down to working extremely hard over the winter with Ryan Eagleson. He has me swinging the ball again now, which is a massive help especially up front when batter try to line you up from ball one!"
