There was a sense of nervous anticipation among Ireland supporters watching the first in the five-match men’s ODI series against Namibia this week. Ireland’s total of 229 seemed below par, and with the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers on the horizon, a good start to the series carried extra importance.
For the statistically minded supporters, there was something else to focus on. One of Ireland’s longest-serving players, George Dockrell, has been closing in on a significant achievement for some time. The first of his two wickets in the match took him to 327 international wickets across all formats, making him Ireland’s all-time leading wicket-taker.
“No. I wasn’t aware at all yesterday,” he said, when asked if he knew he was close to the record. “We had a great win, we were all delighted coming off the pitch and then spin coach, Chris Brown, told me that I’d become the highest wicket-taker of all time which wasn’t at all on my radar. I remember a number of years ago seeing a list and thinking how far away that might be, so I was really surprised and delighted – probably more so that it came in a win and we could all celebrate the day.”
Debuting in 2010 as a 17-year-old, Dockrell has been forced to adapt as the game has evolved. “I am such a different bowler now. I think the game has changed so much,” says Dockrell. “Back then, you could bowl quite slow spin and set defensive fields and batters would often just try and rotate the strike. Economy rates were so much lower then, whereas nowadays batters are so much more aggressive – especially with the amount of T20 cricket that’s being played – so I certainly bowl a little bit quicker and maybe have to have a bit more depth in bowling plans. So yes, I’ve made a lot of changes since then, some good, some bad, but I think that’s the nature of it – making little tweaks, trying to get better and move with the game.”
There was a time when Dockrell’s bowling form took a dip. He lost his Ireland contract in 2019 and his focus turned to batting, but he remained a spinner at heart and continued working on his bowling throughout that period. More recently, he has been selected primarily for his batting, but greater consistency with the ball means he is becoming more of an option in that aspect of the game again. So, what has helped turn things around for the left-armer?
“It’s been about trying to simplify things over the last while. Working with Chris Brown, our spin-bowling coach, he’s a big fan of just trying to rip the ball every time and keeping things simple. Alongside spinning it hard, I’ve focused on keeping everything nice and aligned to be more accurate. Between those two things, that’s really helped me over the last 12 months. Before Chris, Nathan Hauritz was brilliant in getting me to, instead of looking at what I used to do, look forward and think what can I do in the future as a spin bowler and to develop and add more skills to my bowling.”
As Ireland Men’s all-time leading wicket-taker, there are plenty of moments that stand out, but it’s still a performance that came early in his career that has that little bit of extra shine on it.
“It’s hard to look past the match against India in the Cricket World Cup in 2011. Getting Sachin Tendulkar out, and MS Dhoni as well; it was a special game and it’s one that I’ve always cherished and always look back on with a lot of fond memories. Add to that the week that it was with us beating England – it was just incredible to be a part of, so it’s probably always going to be the one.”
With the focus more on his batting since coming back into the side, Dockrell’s story is one of resilience and adaptability, and with 16 years and counting at the top level under his belt, he’s appreciative of the opportunities and experiences he has worked for and earned in that time.
“I’m just so proud to be able to play for so long. I’ve played beside so many brilliant cricketers over the years and I’m quite aware that so much of what I’ve achieved has been off the back of the performances of those players.”
There have been plenty of coaches, players, friends and family that have contributed to the journey, but a couple stand out when it comes to his bowling. “I’ve had so many people help me along the way and I won’t do justice to all of them here, but from the early years, Brían O’Rourke had such a big part to play in me switching to be a spin bowler and I’ll be thankful to him forever for that. Phil Simmons in those early international years and in recent years Nathan Hauritz and Chris Brown have been fantastic for me.”
With 328 international wickets to his name and still plenty of cricket ahead of him, Dockrell may have more records in his sights. He needs just two further ODI wickets to surpass former Ireland international Kevin O’Brien, who currently holds the record with 114. Sixteen years into his Ireland career, Dockrell’s hunger to keep improving and contributing at the top level remains as strong as ever. Becoming Ireland’s all-time leading ODI wicket-taker could be another milestone he reaches without fanfare as he continues to focus on what matters most: contributing to his team’s success.
