CRICKET: Porterfield's long term future still undecided

Skipper William Porterfield finally got to play for Ireland back in his native North West.
Ireland captain William Porterfield finally got to play for his country in the North West on Monday.Ireland captain William Porterfield finally got to play for his country in the North West on Monday.
Ireland captain William Porterfield finally got to play for his country in the North West on Monday.

The talented batsman, who only a few weeks ago was to play for the North West Warriors, admits he hasn’t looked to his long term future and is loving life with his county side Warwickshire.

In fact Porterfield is hoping to play his part for the Bears in the Royal London One Day Cup Final against Surrey later this month.

“Monday was my first game playing for Ireland here in the North West,” he said.

“I have been in and around the Ireland set-up for 10 and a half years, so it’s nice to finally get a game for Ireland in the North West.

“For a Monday afternoon there was a good little crowd in cricket and sport in general is big in the North West and it was great to finally play in front of them.

“I still have got a year left at Warwickshire and I’m happy there and things are going pretty well.

“At the start of the season I was out for a couple of months with a back problem and that was frustrating.

“But we are in the Lords final in a few weeks’ time, so things are going well at Warwickshire and I haven’t even thought about coming home.

“As I said I still have a year left at Warwickshire so that’s where my focus is.

“I have played quite a few games for Ireland meaning I have missed a bit of Warwickshire cricket but yes at some point down the line it’s going to come to head where the counties aren’t going to want you as much because of the fact you are playing so much with Ireland, but it’s great that Ireland are getting the fixtures as well.

“Down the line you never know what’s going to happen but to be honest I don’t know where I’ll end up, as I said I have 12 months left after this season at Warwickshire and if they want me to stay on then I’ll be more than happy to stay there.”

The 32-year-old, who celebrated his birthday yesterday, feels that the future is bright for the Boys in Green.

“We have a good young exciting squad and it’s good to get them into competitive games,” he added.

“We had three lads (Josh Little, Lorcan Tucker and Jacob Mulder) who made their debut on Monday and we had a lot of lads that haven’t had many caps under the belts, so it’s great to see them out there and playing with no fear.”