Ireland left-arm pacer Josh Little has opened up about his time as a net bowler for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL earlier this year. The 23-year-old claimed he was duped into thinking he’d get an opportunity to play if someone was hurt, but that didn’t happen. The Irishman did not agree with the way he was treated despite being an international cricketer.
The youngster joined the franchise halfway through the season as a net bowler ahead of the tournament’s 15th season. The left-arm paceman told Cricbuzz in an interview that the treatment he received despite being an international player didn’t feel right.
“I was told it was something it wasn’t. I was told before I went that I’m a net bowler, and if someone gets injured then there’s a chance I play. But I couldn’t bowl when I wanted, I’d get two overs (in training) and think, ‘Two overs, I’m halfway across the world here!’ Maybe I was naive because I played in the Lankan Premier League and T10, I had a good year behind me. I’m an international cricketer; it didn’t seem right,”
the 23-yera-old said, as he spoke of his experiences in the IPL.
“When I found out I was a net bowler that was required to bowl at someone when the slingers were tired, I was like ‘get me out of here’ – which is probably why they’ll never have me back because I left after two weeks.”
Little continued.
Following his performances in the T20 World Cup, Little could be one of the most surprisingly costly picks in the Kochi mini-auction on December 23. The talented pacer picked up 11 wickets at an average of 17.18 in seven games, including a hat-trick against New Zealand.
The Irish fast bowler’s streak coincided with what could be his most financially rewarding month of his career. After a strong conclusion to the international summer against Afghanistan, he drew additional notice with the best spell by a male player in the Hundred, 5-13 for the Manchester Originals.
With another strong showing in the last T10, Little’s global stock has never been higher. The Multan Sultans agreed at last week’s PSL draught, using a platinum pick to acquire his services for the 2023 season. He will be only the second Irishman to play in the PSL barring World Cup-winning skipper Eoin Morgan.
