Hoey shines in defeat as Ireland fall 2-0 behind

Gavin Hoey may have finished on the losing side, but the Pembroke leg-spinner emerged from Ireland’s second defeat to Afghanistan with his reputation considerably enhanced after an outstanding individual performance with both bat and ball.

Hoey top-scored with 36 as Ireland recovered from the depths of 128 for eight to reach 206 before returning to claim four wickets in an Afghanistan chase which was considerably more uncomfortable than it might have appeared at one stage.

Ultimately, though, Man of the Match Rahmatullah Gurbaz’s 71 and an unbeaten 37 from Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan proved decisive in a three-wicket victory which gives the visitors a 2-0 lead with two matches remaining.

Both of those games are at Stormont, on Wednesday and Saturday, leaving Ireland requiring back-to-back victories to draw the series.

For Hoey, there was satisfaction in the fight Ireland showed after their innings had threatened to unravel completely.

“It was obviously probably a tough toss to lose. We would have looked to bowl first, but I think we did okay to get up to that total towards the end, having been 128 for eight,” he said.

“So we were pleased to have a total to bowl at and we gave it a good run. There probably weren’t quite enough runs, but it was good to give it a go when we were in a poor position.”

Hoey’s contribution with the bat was particularly valuable. Coming in with Ireland in serious trouble, he showed the lower-order resistance that had been missing earlier and, importantly, demonstrated a clear method against Rashid.

“It was definitely about protecting the stumps and trying to play for the googly,” explained Hoey.

“I started picking them slightly better than I thought I would, but it was definitely play for the googly and, if you nick one, it’s a bit unlucky.”

His efforts alongside the lower order at least gave Ireland something to defend, with Jai Moondra another player Hoey believes is capable of making useful contributions.

“Jai’s well able to bat. We had a good partnership in the four-day game earlier this year and Jai got nearly a fifty.”

Hoey then switched roles and became Ireland’s chief threat with the ball.

With the surface offering considerable assistance to the spinners, the leg-spinner kept things relatively uncomplicated.

“There was a lot of spin, so for me it was about trying to land my stock ball as best I can,” he said. “There was a little bit of natural variation. That was pretty much it.”

His four-wicket haul helped give Ireland genuine hope, but Gurbaz had already supplied Afghanistan with the foundations through his 71.

When wickets began falling and the contest tightened, Rashid demonstrated why he is such an influential figure, seeing his side home with an unbeaten 37.

There was a nice moment between the two leg-spinners as Rashid congratulated Hoey on his spell.

“He just said, ‘Well bowled,’” revealed Hoey. “He’s a serious competitor and he’s somebody I’ve looked at a lot and tried to emulate as much as I can, even though we’re very different bowlers. He’s a very nice guy as well and I’m sure we’ll have a chat after the series.”

Asked whether his success in reading Rashid might lead to a few words of advice for Ireland’s top order, Hoey was not about to divulge any secrets.

“No, I won’t! I think I’ll lose my contract if I start talking about that,” he joked.

There remains, however, plenty of belief despite Ireland now having no margin for error.

“We’ll go well in the next game. I’m sure the batters are working hard,” said Hoey. “Hopefully we can get a good score in the next game and then win the next two games.”

After his performance with bat and ball, Hoey has certainly done everything he can to give Ireland that chance.