By David Slater
November 25 2003

Irishman Ed Joyce has been one of Middlesex’s most promising talents in recent years having been compared to Gower many times. MTWD caught up with him after the Hants NCL game to ask his views on Irish Cricket and his aims for his career. MTWD: How does it feel when you go back home with people asking you what you do for a living and why you always get the winter off?

EJ: My own friends and family know what I do so I never really talk about it to them to be honest

MTWD: You’re from a large Cricketing family, have you ever though of entering a 6-a-side competition with them?

EJ: I have four brothers who play Cricket, 2 of whom play for Ireland. We’ve played a few family games as a few of my sisters’ play and my Dad also played so we used to when I was younger but we don’t anymore.

MTWD: Aiming for English test qualification means you have to stop playing one-day cricket for Ireland. Have you found that disappointing?

EJ: Of cause it’s disappointing as I am Irish after all. The rule has actually changed so I can still play for Ireland while I qualify but with my commitments to Middlesex I don’t really get the chance to play for Ireland. It’s a bit sad but it has to be done career wise

MTWD: Do you still follow the Irish national side, most notably the MCC v Ireland match played here (Lord’s)?

EJ: I wasn’t here as Middlesex were playing that day. I don’t know what happened and generally don’t hear about how they are doing that much as my little brothers have stopped playing for them.

MTWD: It’s been reported that you encouraged Middlesex to sign young Irish player, Eoin Morgan. Do you feel there is a lot of Irish talent that can enter County Cricket?

EJ: There’s more talent ready to enter County cricket then there is at the moment, there’s only me playing at the moment. Eoin Morgan will be a very good player one day and there are a few other guys, one at Kent, one at Essex and another guy Middlesex want to sign (now rumoured to be Boyd Rankin).

MTWD: What will you be doing during the winter?

EJ: I will be looking to buy place and do very little.

MTWD: Thank you very much Ed. Good luck for next season.

EJ: Thank you