Josh Mierkalns (Notts)
When professional cricketers look back over their career, there is one game in particular that will stick in their mind. Whether you have played hundreds of games for the first team or just a handful of matches, a first-class debut is a very special moment, stepping out onto the field for the first time proper. Notts batsman Josh Mierkalns, who made his first-class debut against West Indies A this week, talks us through his experience.
When did you find out you might be making your debut?
I kind of knew two weeks ago. Wayne Noon (assistant manager) mentioned it to me. But I found out for certain the morning of the game.
Were you relaxed in the build up to the game?
I thought I wouldn’t be fit to play! I collided with Sammit Patel after coming on as substitute in the Twenty20 semi-final, dropped a catch in the process and got a serious dead leg. I couldn’t walk! At the time, I sat on the physio’s bench and was thinking about the semi-final we were in. Then suddenly I remembered the West Indies fixture and thought ‘oh no, stinker…I’m going to miss that game’. But I worked hard in the pool and tried to get fit as quick as I could. Eventually the swelling and bruising went down and I was fit to play.
You have played a couple of Twenty20 games, but just how did it feel walking out onto the field for Notts, in your whites, in a first-class game?
It’s been something I have always wanted to do while growing up. It was awesome.
And how nervous were you waiting to go into bat?
I was sat on the balcony and next in. Darren Powell was bowling decent pace (for me anyway) although the lads said that the the wicket was quite slow. Dave Alleyne was playing a missing at a few – he’s a good batsman and I respect him, and was thinking ‘this isn’t going to be easy’. Then he nicked off, caught second slip and my heart went mad. I was excited more than anything.
How did you get off the mark?
I flicked the ball to mid-wicket for one.
You made eighteen runs – how did you feel?
I felt confident and comfortable. The ball was hitting the middle of the bat most of the time. I felt I left well and hit the balls I needed to hit. I had a bit of luck but you get that.
I guess now you have made your first-class debut, the hard work starts here?
Yep – lots of hard work. It’s the start of something big hopefully.
What are your ambitions with Notts?
I would like to get a few more chances and take them when they come. But I know I need to make big runs in the second team.
Have you kept a scorecard from the game?
Yep – and my hat. All the lads signed it!
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