CH – The game in Ireland is essentially amateur. All your career you have been involved with professionals. Will this be a problem?
MH – There is nothing wrong with weekend cricketers, but within the system there will always be those who want to play at the highest level. Part of my job will be to realise their ambitions.
CH – The strength of Irish cricket lies in a strong club base. On previous occasions there have been problems with players’ loyalties when fixtures clashed. How do you view this in the future?
MH – I need players with commitment and quite simply that means they must put country before club.
CH – The Australians have demonstrated the value of peak fitness and commitment on the field. Will this be a priority under Mike Hendrick?
MH – Absolutely. Many of the players are already aware of the importance of being fit and this is something that will be integrated into future plans.
CH – Ireland took a sports psychologist to Kenya but is that really necessary for players at this level?
MH – All sport has become more scientific and many top performers use methods which traditionalists might find strange. I believe different players have different needs and recognise that it won’t work for everyone. It is a big part of my job to make sure the players are focused, but I don’t rule out anything that might help.
CH – You have visited a number of local grounds in the last couple of months. How do you rate the facilities?
MH – Most of the facilities are quite good, but we might need to look at the quality of the wickets in the future. Bowlers don’t have to work hard enough for their wickets and too often batsmen don’t have to play off the back foot. I would prefer wickets with pace and even bounce but recognise that the groundsmen will play a big part in achieving that goal. The new wickets laid at Ormeau and Downpatrick are steps in the right direction, but other clubs must be convinced that this is the best way forward.
CH – Part of your work involves Garfield Harrison, the NICA Cricket Development Officer. How important do you see his role?
MH – Very important indeed! I admire his enthusiasm and commitment to a mammoth job. He is making a significant impact in schools through Kwik Cricket, especially in areas where cricket has never been played before. This is real progress. Ideally I’d like to see more development officers throughout Ireland, because that means more people will play the game and ultimately that will impact at the highest level.
CH – Overseas players have dominated Ulster cricket in the past 15 years. Have they a role in your future plans?
MH – Yes, but the right kind of club professional. Ideally he should be experienced, qualified to coach but need not necessarily play in the team. After all, he’s taking the place of a club member and if he dominates the game, he will also restrict the development of the rest of the team. Long term, that will cause problems, and I’ve seen a lot of this in club cricket in England. Some clubs have got it right, but others unfortunately have not.
CH – Realistically can amateurs expect to beat county professionals?
MH – Of course not. There is a massive gap, but we want to close it over the next few years and who knows, with a rub of the green, we might just get that surprise result which could give Irish cricket such a boost.
