ANDREW Balbirnie has been one of the unsung talents of Irish cricket over recent years. After a glittering underage career he disappeared to the UK for university and has been based at Cardiff UCCE, MCC and Middlesex for the past four summers. Determinedly building his way towards a career in the game, Inside Edge can reveal that he got his first full-time contract with the county last week.
"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."
He continued that positive form on Monday with a brilliant 103no off 77 balls as Middlesex qualified for the semi-final of the 2nd XI one-day trophy.
His new status means he will be moving into a club-owned house with other young players in Golders Green. Among his housemates is Paul Stirling, who Andrew insists is very organised and tidy.
This summer has seen the former Pembroke all-rounder bludgeon attacks, scoring 1450 runs - more than any other Irish player anywhere besides Ed Joyce.
"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."
Monday's knock was his fourth century, and there have been nine 50s including that timely 96.
Once news spread at Lord's the senior players rushed to congratulate him.
"They're a lovely bunch here," he says, "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."
Working at the hallowed venue is something that he never taken for granted.
"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!"
He has no illusions about the task ahead of him to break into a talented Middlesex batting line up. "We're very strong, and even Stirlo can't get into the four-day team. But I know I have a year and this is a run-based business, so I need to get runs."
He's lucky to be at a county with strong links with Ireland and one with a good relationship with Phil Simmons. "Middlesex are always good about releasing players for Ireland games, and I hope to get to play as much as I can for Leinster Lightning, but I'm trying to make a career over here so may have to miss games."
Balbirnie will be keen to add to his nine Ireland caps, a level at which he has yet to shine.
"When I was first capped in 2010 I was probably a bit out of my depth", he admits.
"I was dropped for two years which was a bit of a knock-back, but playing for Ireland is top of the tree for me. But I've got to get the runs to force my way in."
IT will be interesting to see the England test team that runs out at the Oval today. Inside Edge heard a whisper last week that Irish heritage county players Simon Kerrigan and Liam Plunkett were "on the radar" of Cricket Ireland. Suddenly Kerrigan gets called into the Test squad, and ex-ODI bowler Plunkett's international career is to be revived with the England Lions. Maybe Andy Flower heard the same whisper?
AN Inside Edge reader got in touch with a great suggestion - a testimonial for Trent Johnston after he finally calls it a day in December. TJ has been a great servant and at the heart of Irish cricket's finest moments over the past decade, and Irish fans would relish a chance to pay him tribute at the end of his playing career. Arthur@javelin.ie for anyone who wants to help make TJ Day a reality.
Tweet of the week: Two-year-old Oliver Molins, son of ex-Ireland spinner @GregMolins, was a feature of the warm-up sessions at the women's T20 tournament. Then he won the hearts of the Sri Lankan women, but is now back guiding the Ireland women.
THE recent MCC festival in College Park may have produced an Irish record. With Wales pushing hard for a win, Harry Bowles took a liking to the bowling of Tom Hughes (England West/South West) hitting him for five 6s, with a wide in the middle, before cracking the last ball for 4. The total of 35 in an over beats Ian Botham's 32 off the last over in a 1986 exhibition game at Lisburn.
Performance of the week: The brand new Slieve Bloom CC, who play in Kilcormac, Co Offaly, picked up their first trophy with a shock win over Greystones in the Minor Cup final