When Ireland take the field on October 18 at the Shiekh Zayed Stadium in their first T20 World Cup 2021 game against fellow Europeans the Netherlands, fiery fast bowler, Joshu Little will leave no stone unturned to make sure that they win this game and get their hopes of reaching Super 12 going.
"Getting to a World Cup was something I always wanted to do and we've had some decent preparation so dying to get stuck into it now,” Little said in an interview with Sky Cricket.
Little then went on to detail about how he and the team plan to get themselves to Super 12. “First, it is Holland and we are dying to get one back on them after losing the one-day series in the summer. It will be a very good game. Hopefully, we can turn them over,” he said.
Little was only 15 when Ireland staged a big upset in the 2015 ODI World Cup, defeating West Indies and he stayed up all night with then school friend and now national teammate Harry Tector to watch that win. He remembers that vividly and wants to take inspiration from that going into this game.
"Me and Harry Tector, who is also in the squad, I remember him staying over at my house back in the day and we stayed up all night to watch Ireland beat the West Indies.
"I remember that World Cup really well and all the lads I looked up to I am playing with now so that is special to be around them,” he said.
The fast bowler then impressed upon the importance of the Sri Lanka game which could turn out to be massive if they are able to cause an upset.
"That Sri Lanka game is absolutely massive. They are a world-class side and if we do win it would be very special,” said the 21-year-old. “We feel we can turn anyone over on our day,” he added before claiming to be super confident about a win against Namibia. “Then Namibia are another who will be a tough challenge but we back ourselves to win that.”