Published: 07/03/2010 13:09:12 | Modified: 07/03/2010 13:13:52
Author: Richard Latham | All Contributors
Kirby sets wicket target to fulfil England dream
Steve Kirby believes he may have to take as many as 100 wickets in the coming season to fulfil his ambition of playing for England.
The Gloucestershire pace bowler returned from the recent Lions tout to UAE satisfied with his performances in the Twenty20 fixtures, but desperately disappointed not to have been selected for any of the 50-over games.
Youngsters Steve Finn and Chris Woakes were picked ahead of him and Kirby, who took 91 wickets in all forms of cricket for Gloucestershire last season, accepts that, at 32, his age is starting to count against him.
“I was told by the Lions selectors that they were looking to play the young lads and I have to say how well they performed,” said Kirby.
“I believe it’s only a matter of time before Woakes and Finn play for England so there are no sour grapes over being left out, even though I was gutted to miss all the 50-over games.
“I know my age is against me when it comes to competing for selection against lads ten years younger, but it just makes me more determined and I’m under no illusions about how big the coming season is going to be for me.
“I may have to take 100 wickets. My biggest dream of my life is to play for my country, but I am not going to let it eat me up and affect my performances.”
Kirby played in all the Twenty20 games at the start of the Lions tour and didn’t feel he had the best of luck. “I played five matches in all. In my warm-up game I took three wickets, but my first match against UAE wasn’t a great one,” he said.
“In the first Pakistan game I only bowled one over, but in the second match I took a wicket and in the third I finished with 3 for 33 to be leading wicket-taker on that day.
“We then played against England and, although I only got one wicket, I felt I should have had three. I had Kevin Pietersen plumb lbw as he moved across his stumps, but it wasn’t given. None of the lads could believe it.”