This week I have had the opportunity to speak to Robin Murphy, batsman and part time wicket- keeper for France. As so many of the French Squad over the last few years, Robin Murphy came up through the age groups. I asked him about France’s season so far, his experiences at the Continental T20, and his expectations for France in Division 1.
So Robin, congratulations on your continued selection for the French team this year. And well done for your performances in Holland. Was your 32 in the game vs Holland the best you have played?
It is certainly the most runs I have scored against a decent bowling attack, plus I actually cleared the rope a couple of times which somewhat a miracle some would say. I recall an innings vs Gibraltar in La Manga in 2012 which I was fairly pleased with also (36 vs Gibraltar batting at 3 during WCL8 qualification).
And it must have been pleasing to have contributed heavily, particularly in a winning effort?
I have been in and out of the 11 constantly over the past 3 or 4 years, it felt great to lead from the front, opening the batting. I showed I could have an important role in the top 6, batting almost through the innings.
Is batting at the top of the order your preferred position?
I enjoyed having a licence to play my natural game alongside big hitters such as Komalan Thavalingam and Usman Khan. I have always enjoyed opening. It means the bowler has no psychological advantage. Obviously there will be some noisy fielders but at least the bowler isn't pumped by taking a wicket.
Do you enjoy the 'noisy fielders'?
I'm told I can be quite "chirpy" myself, so occasionally I like doing a Brad Haddin and having a go back, especially to the Aussies playing for opposition teams. Speaking a bit of Spanish, Italian, French, English and Urdu makes it fun. Back in 2012, Wasim and I sledged the Gibraltans in Spanish, that was pretty funny.
Speaking of Brad Haddin, the rumours are that you are a potential long term replacement for Wasim Bhatti, can you confirm this?
Wasim Bhatti seems irreplaceable at the moment, and I can hardly say my right arm medium will give International batsmen nightmares, so have decided to work on my wicket keeping. In fact, I sprained a finger after my first workout as a keeper, so it will take some toughening up if I am to replace Was'. I regularly watch videos of Chopper Reid to remind me to harden up! William Singh in particular loves reminding me that I have women's fingers. It's a tough life studying in politics!
Moving on from you, how impressed were you with the performances of Usman Khan?
Ever since I played with Usman in U17s in 2008, I have expected him to be very good. His hand eye coordination is incredible, and from age 17 he was already playing check drives for 6. But this year Usman Khan and his best mate Zika Ali have obviously decided to have a weight-lifting battle. I hardly recognised Usman when I saw him for the first time this summer. It has given him confidence with the bat, and his bowling is still as effective. Usman is a great person, I am very pleased with how good he has become.
So with the talent that France have, how do you rate France's chances at Division 1?
France have had talent for years, but what has been lacking is discipline, especially with the bat. Division 1 will be the toughest competition we (this generation of players) have played in. We will have far less experience at that level than the 5 other teams, but what we do have is talent, we have guys who can hit a ball very hard such as Usman Khan and Shahid Malik, as well as exciting bowlers such as William Singh who recently took 5-11 vs Holland A. I believe we have a good chance against Jersey and Guernsey, however beating both Italy and Denmark seems hard to achieve at this stage. But hell, our guys are certainly up for it!
Moving away from the senior squad: Earlier you mentioned age group representative cricket. How important was representing France at U15, U17 and U19 level for your development?
I first played cricket for France at U15 level in 2007. Junior cricket at international level gives players discipline and the drive to perform. It makes young players realise they have potential and pushes them to get better. Age group cricket was the real eye opener for me. Junior cricket is also a solid base for the senior team. In the 2014 continental T20 tournament, several members had previously represented France at junior level: namely Zika Ali, Usman Khan, Zain Zahir, Ramiz Ihsan, Hamza Niaz and myself.
Can I take it then that you think it is a shame that the ICC has scrapped official U19 tournaments below Division 1?
Scrapping U19 tournaments below Division 1 goes completely against the idea of development. U19 cricket is a pathway to the senior team. Even now some players struggle to make the change from U19 cricket to senior cricket, so if there aren't U19 tournaments for France, it is going to be even harder to develop home grown players. If there hadn't been U17s a few years ago, we may not have Usman Khan in our 11, or me!
Switching topics completely, what does a typical week look like for you? How do you fit training around university work? Do you do any other sports to help with your cricket?
From October till April I tend to focus on other sports to stay fit, especially badminton. I have training once a week, plus competitions every other week. I also play indoor football with Italian students, that way I can let out all the anger I have accumulated since the Zidane/Materazzi incident in 2006! During the summer, I have cricket on most Sundays, and I play tape ball cricket on Saturdays and Mondays with my Bangladeshi/Pakistani friends. I have also started baseball training with a friend who has spent a year in the United States, I may approach the Stade Toulousain baseball club in September. That should hopefully ensure I wrestle the mantle of ‘best fielder’ from William Singh!