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Middlesex County Cricket Club are delighted to announce that Andrew Balbirnie has signed a full-time professional contract with the club. Balbirnie joins Middlesex having spent the past three years at Cardiff University.
Middlesex County Cricket Club are delighted to announce that Andrew Balbirnie and Ryan Higgins have signed full-time professional contracts with the club. Balbirnie joins Middlesex having spent the past three years at Cardiff University. During his time at Cardiff he held a summer contract. His ever improving batting is bringing him closer and closer to gaining a position in Ireland’s full side.

Higgins joins straight from the Academy and after taking his A Levels. He, too, is a batsman and was England U19’s star performer during the recent tri-nation one-day tournament involving Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Commenting on the signings Middlesex CCC’s Managing Director of Cricket, Angus Fraser, said: “We are delighted to offer contracts to two exciting young cricketers. Andrew and Ryan have been in Middlesex’s system for quite some time and it is rewarding for everyone at the club to see young talent developed by ourselves coming through. We are confident both are set for successful careers with Middlesex CCC.”

Andy Balbirnie also spoke to Ger Siggins in the Irish Daily Star saying, “We were playing down in Gloucestershire, and Angus Fraser told me before the game that they were really happy with me and wanted to sit down to offer me a contract. I went out and got 96 — knowing that I have a contract it means I can play with greater freedom.”

“I had my finals in Cardiff but I didn’t hang around for the end of the uni season. I reckoned I would be better off making runs for Middlesex. One thing I’ve realised is that nobody notices the 50s and 60s – you need to be scoring hundreds.”

Delighted to have signed my first full time contract @Middlesex_CCC. Looking forward to the challenges ahead.

— Andy Balbirnie (@balbo90) August 23, 2013

“They’re a lovely bunch here, there’s no gap between 1sts and 2nds, and Eoin Morgan and Steven Finn were straight up to me to ask what I was doing for the winter.”

He also spoke about the magic of Lord’s cricket ground, “It’s a special place and I love playing there. I’ve only played three times, for Ireland A, MCC and Cardiff, but I’ve done 12th man loads of times. You volunteer to do sub so you get the famous Lord’s lunch!”

Balbirnie in action for Cardiff MCCU at Lord’s.

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