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As part of our build up to the Irish Women’s Team playing in the the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifying 2017 in Sri Lanka, we had a chat with YMCA and Typhoons player Clare Shillington.
As part of our build up to the Irish Women’s Team playing in the the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifying 2017 in Sri Lanka, we had a chat with YMCA and Typhoons player Clare Shillington.

She speaks about how the 2016 season went for the side, along with how she thinks the team will do in Sri Lanka.
How did you get into cricket?

“I would have started playing with my brothers at home in the garage, which my parents would have been thrilled about! I played cricket in Headfort before I moved up to Belfast. I remember they weren’t so sure of me playing in the boy’s team. Then I played a practice game and I did well in it. All of a sudden they became very interested in me playing with the lads!”

How did you feel 2016 went for the Irish side?

“The T20 World Cup in India was the 5th World Cup that I have been in with the Irish side, and it never gets old. It is always a special moment to be playing against the best sides in the world for Ireland. However, I think we should have beaten South Africa and Sri Lanka in that tournament. But what that competition did for us was that we gained experience in those close contests, and I think that helped us later in the summer when we won against South Africa at home.

“The games we had against South Africa were really good for the team. We were in close contests against a side that is the next level up from what we have been used to playing against. At the same time we were playing them week in week out, so the more we play these teams, the better we will become and eventually we will leapfrog them in the rankings.”

What do you think of Kim Garth & Isobel Joyce playing in the WBBL?

“They proved that Irish players are good enough to play at that level. It is great they are exposing themselves to living as a professional. I think there should be more of our players over there on state contracts or rookie contracts in that competition. They have been overlooked so far because they play for Ireland, and not one of the big nations. They are more than good enough, and Isobel & Kim has shown this.

“There are also other players in the squad who are over in Australia and New Zealand playing club cricket. It doesn’t matter if you are playing in a 1st XI or 4th XI cricket; it is fantastic for those players to be over there experiencing the Australian culture of cricket. But the big thing for me is that they are playing lots and lots of competitive cricket, which will only kick them on as players.”

What has changed within the women’s game in Ireland since your debut?

“I think the commitment level from the players nowadays is huge compared to when I started. This is even with players who have full-time jobs or are in school, but it is a good complaint to have! We are training four times a week on our S&C or working on our skills, which is what we have to do to get better. We are starting to have more tours and camps, so that is good to see. The more of those we have, it increases the experience of this group. I think also the setup is much more professional, with having a full-time head coach, assistant coaches as well as help with our work we to in the gym. It is far more professional today than it was when I started.”

What were you working on during the winter sessions?

“A big thing for me and my game is going from playing a lot of T20 cricket to moving towards more 50 Over games. I would be at my most comfortable in T20s, so I have been changing my mind frame to say to myself I have more time at the crease to play. Along with this, I have been used to opening the batting, while with 50 Over cricket, I will be more often in the middle order, therefore trying to finish a game or hit us to a big total to defend. I have also been working on just going back to basics with my batting, especially not to over hit the ball.”

What are you hoping for out of the World Cup Qualification tournament in Sri Lanka?

“We want to qualify. We have a great chance at doing it also. If we play as we can, we have the ability in this team to qualify for the World Cup. This competition sets us up for the rest of the year.
“We want to play in that World Cup in England. It is the pinnacle of our sport and it is another chance for us to prove ourselves at international level. Over the past few years, we have been good at the T20 format. But now we need to start doing it in the 50 Over game. Hopefully with our performances in Sri Lanka other teams will feel that it would be worth going on a tour over to Ireland and then create a momentum for us into the future.”


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