'I think we've found formula for winning games in WC Super League' - Lorcan Tucker on positive mindset ahead of New Zealand series

DUBLIN – Irish international Lorcan Tucker was talking about India, New Zealand, his career, and his inspirations today ahead of Ireland Men’s One-Day International series against New Zealand to be played at Malahide from 10-15 July 2022.

Tucker, 25, debuted against Hong Kong back in 2016. He has gone on to play 26 one-day internationals and 32 T20 Internationals for the Men in Green. He has faced 14 different countries to date but is yet to face the Black Caps on the field.

Now established as Ireland Men’s number one keeper, the Dubliner believes a mindset shift a few years ago has seen him become more consistent and confident with the gloves, which has, in turn, pushed his batting on. He also believes that the more positive mentality of the Irish squad this year is a feature the players are looking to sustain and develop further under new head coach Heinrich Malan.

Speaking before training, Tucker was talking about the recent India T20I series and ahead to the New Zealand series:

“I think it was an exhilarating experience for everybody involved, be they players, staff, or our supporters. It’s going to be a series that I look back fondly on given how well we put it up to them despite not winning that close second game. Andy [Balbirnie] wanted us to punch back when they came at us and I think it’s a testament to our group that we did that with such force.

The positive mentality that the squad displayed against India has been our biggest strength this year: Lorcan Tucker

“The positive mentality that the squad displayed against India has been our biggest strength this year. We saw it against the West Indies and in the World Cup Qualifier in Oman. As a team, we want to carry that confidence through this series against the Black Caps and the rest of the summer.

“I think we have found a formula for winning games in the World Cup Super League that were epitomized in our series against the West Indies. This competition has been brilliant for us as a team because we’ve had to play, analyze and improve with each series. Heinrich [Malan] has now come in and has expressed that he wants us to believe that we are in a place now where we know what we want to do and how we want to do it. It is just a matter of getting out there now and doing it.

“I think New Zealand are a great role model for us as players and a team. They are the top-ranked ODI team in the world at the moment, and we’re relishing the challenge of playing a team in peak form. I’ve played and worked with some great Kiwis since the start of my career so it’ll be nice to think of them when playing against such a proud cricketing nation.”

 Speaking about his own preparation for the series, Tucker said:

 “There are subtle changes in my preparation for ODIs as opposed to T20Is. One-day cricket ebbs and flows throughout an innings and my role in the batting line-up can change so I like to try and reflect those different scenarios when I practice. Wicket-keeping is constant no matter the format so little changes in terms of prep on that front.”

Looking back at his career so far, he said:

“To be honest, I don’t think I’d put much conscious effort into wicket-keeping at the time I made my debut in 2016 – and even for several years after. I certainly improved my glovework over those early years, but I think that was due to exposure more than anything on my own behalf. I guess I saw myself more as a batter who kept, but I’ve changed that mindset over recent years. As a result, I think my keeping has improved a lot, chiefly because of this mindset change. I’ve learnt to enjoy the challenge of wicketkeeping and to accept mistakes as a way to learn and improve rather than moments to dwell on.

“I came to keeping relatively late on. Growing up I wanted to be a fast bowler. Brett Lee was my idol, and I spent most of my childhood trying – and probably failing – to bowl like him. Wicketkeeping only came along when I was fifteen and I’m glad it did. I don’t think my life would have turned out this way if I’d never taken it up.

“I try to study and learn from other keepers. Ben Foakes – from a purist’s point of view – is someone I respect greatly. His ability and skill are second-to-none, but he also makes it look so elegant. Mohammed Rizwan, whose skills with the bat as well as the gloves, is another player I love to watch and take inspiration from.”

IRELAND MEN’S ODI SQUAD

Andrew Balbirnie (Captain), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Graham Hume, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.

FIXTURE SCHEDULE

Ireland Men v New Zealand Men ODI series

Sunday 10 July: Ireland v New Zealand, 1^st ODI (Malahide; start time 10.45 am)

Tuesday 12 July: Ireland v New Zealand, 2^nd ODI (Malahide; start time 10.45 am)

Friday 15 July: Ireland v New Zealand, 3^rd ODI (Malahide; start time 10.45 am)

 The ODI series will be followed by a T20I series:

Monday 18 July: Ireland v New Zealand, 1^st T20I (Stormont; start time 4 pm)

Wednesday 20 July: Ireland v New Zealand, 2^nd T20I (Stormont; start time 4 pm)

Friday 22 July: Ireland v New Zealand, 3^rd T20I (Stormont; start time 4 pm)