Amid the dynamic shifts within Ireland’s fast bowling ranks, Mark
Adair has emerged as a pillar of strength for the national team. Through the
highs and lows of international cricket, he has consistently showcased his talent
and resilience. Today, we delve into the career of Ireland’s premier pacer
With the retirement of Tim Murtagh, Boyd
Rankin stepping away from Irish cricket, and Josua Little pursuing a career in
global franchises, the Irish pace bowling landscape is undergoing significant
transformation. Amidst this flux, one name has remained a steadfast constant:
Mark Adair. Rising to the occasion, he has embraced the mantle of leader within
the pace attack, skillfully shouldering the responsibility of guiding and
inspiring the Irish bowling unit.
Yes, there have been
Craig Young and Brian McCarthy to support him, but both have struggled with
inconsistency or fitness. Adair has been Ireland’s most consistent seamer in
recent years, which is why the team relies on him to provide the breakthroughs.
Born on March 27,
1996, in Northern Ireland, Adair began his first-class career in 2015. While he
performed admirably, he often found himself on the fringes due to the abundance
of pace bowling options.
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| Mark Adair has been Ireland's best bowler of late |
On May 2, 2019, while Adair was preparing to
play for the Ireland Wolves against Bangladesh in a tour match, he received a
surprise call from the selectors. Pacer Stuart Thompson had injured himself,
and the team needed an urgent replacement. Within 24 hours, Adair’s fortunes
had changed dramatically: he went from being selected for a tour match to
opening the bowling alongside Tim Murtagh for Ireland’s national team. Although
he didn’t make a significant impact on his debut, he hasn’t looked back since.
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| A historic first Test win and number of milestones have been achieved by Irish Cricket in recent times |
Two months later, he
played his first Test against England at Lord's and took six wickets in the
match, despite ending up on the losing side. The year 2019 was very successful
for Adair; he picked up 15 wickets in nine matches, and in 17 matches, he took
27 wickets at an impressive average of 15.29. This seemed to kick-start his
career on a high note.
However, the COVID-19
pandemic hit cricket hard, halting play for almost four months and placing the
sport in a bubble for 12 months. Wealthier cricket boards had the financial
clout to survive this tough period, but it became increasingly challenging for
smaller boards, especially for emerging cricket nations like Ireland. They went
for long stretches without matches, which meant that Adair's flourishing career
came to a halt. The concern shifted from selection to whether he could regain
his momentum with the ball.
When Ireland resumed
play after the pandemic, Adair was in top form. He bowled at the right length,
maintained full control, and, most importantly, consistently took wickets. In
2021, he captured 21 wickets in just 13 matches at an astonishing average of
15.12. He became Ireland’s highest wicket-taker and rightfully earned the title
of the team’s No. 1 bowler by the start of 2022.
By 2022, the fast-bowling
landscape had changed considerably. Tim Murtagh had retired 30 months prior;
Josh Little had prioritized T20 franchise leagues, and the much-hyped Stuart
Thompson had failed to meet expectations. In this context, Adair was tasked
with leading the attack, and he did not disappoint. He once again spearheaded
the bowling with 25 wickets in 27 matches.
Adair has continued
to improve with each game and each passing year. In 2023, he had his best year
yet, excelling in both T20 internationals and one-day cricket. He took 26
wickets in 16 T20 internationals at a sensational average of 16.26. In ODIs, he
claimed 29 wickets in 20 matches at an average of 28.68.
As T20 cricket has
surged in popularity, more players are opting out of central contracts to
pursue greater freedom and earnings in franchise leagues. Nonetheless, the
importance of Test cricket has not diminished; cricketers are still recognized,
respected, and remembered for their excellence in the longest format of the
game.
Adair understands
this and has been eager to make his mark in Test cricket. The year 2024 proved
to be significant in this regard. Ireland played only two Tests but won both;
the first against Afghanistan marked their first-ever Test victory. Adair was crucial
in both matches, taking 12 wickets overall. Against Afghanistan, he registered
his best figures of 5 for 39 and ended up with eight wickets, earning the Man
of the Match award.
Ireland will play a lot of cricket in 2025, and Adair will have a crucial role in ensuring that the team continues to enhance its reputation on the global stage, fostering the growth of the game in the country. Who better to serve as a role model than him—a cricketer who has steadily risen to become Ireland’s No. 1 bowler through hard work and determination.
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