Ireland all-rounder Curtis Campher was elated to contribute to his team’s seven-wicket win over the Netherlands in their opening fixture in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, on October 18, Monday.
Campher picked four wickets in four balls, as the fast-bowler returned with the match-winning figures of 4/26 against the Netherlands in their first game in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2021 on Monday.
However, despite his devastating double hat-trick against Ireland, the 22-year-old all-rounder isn’t overjoyed with his dream debut in the T20 World Cup and said his record spell will set in a little bit later.
Campher said in the post-match press conference: “To be honest, I wasn't really thinking about it (emulating Lasith Malinga and Rashid Khan). Maybe it will set in a little bit later. I was just trying to do what I wanted to do. When ten Doeschate walked in, we knew that we had to go straight to him, and that worked and then just carried on to Edwards too.”
He further added, “Both of those (attacking the stumps) plans worked out from the analysis, and that kind of fit into my game, so maybe in a few hours or a few days, it might rub off. But to be honest I'm just happy with the win and that's all that matters.”
Notably, he became only the third bowler after Malinga and Rashid to claim four wickets in four balls in T20Is. He achieved the feat in the 10th over when he dismissed Colin Ackermann (11), Ryan ten Doeschate (0), Scott Edwards (0), and Pieter Seelaar (0).
On being asked how he managed to compose himself before the hat-trick ball, Campher said: “Yeah, my heart was racing quite high, but I just took a few deep breaths at the top of my run and just tried to make sure I manage my skills. Obviously, I didn't really finish the last over as well as I wanted to, but I'm learning and I'm young. I'm just trying to do the best that I can.”
He concluded, “Personally for me, it gives us a lot of momentum. As a bowling unit, when you have three guys going under-sixes, it makes a big difference. I thought as a unit we were really good. Another day I can go for 10s or 12s, but the pressure the guys built managed to make me get the wickets.”
The Irish all-rounder helped his team reduce the Netherlands to 51/6 before Mark Adair stole the show by bowling the opposition out to 106 with a three-wicket haul in Abu Dhabi.
Later, Paul Stirling’s unbeaten 30 and Gareth Delany’s 44 took Ireland over the line in 15.1 over with 7 wickets to hand against the Netherlands on Monday. Ireland will next play Sri Lanka in the ongoing T20 World Cup on Wednesday, October 20, in Abu Dhabi
(With ANI Inputs)
