Jack Murphy is still awaiting his 1st XI debut but his employers have already been on the receiving end of the all-rounder’s talents.
The 19-year-old made his first-class debut for Cardiff MCCU in April in a three-day game against Glamorgan, taking 2-90 with the ball and hitting 22 with the bat.
His maiden first-class scalp was Jacques Rudolph and while a side strain has hindered his progress so far this summer, the Cardiff Met student is hopeful of an imminent breakthrough.
But with the Welsh county going well in the County Championship and still in contention in the t20 Blast, Murphy knows that patience will be the key. He said: “I played a few pre-season games for Glamorgan and had a good game against Gloucestershire where I took four wickets, that was great.
“To then make my first-class debut against Glamorgan was quite weird. I was going out there bowling against guys I’ve bowled against so many times in the nets. It felt a bit like a training match for me but to get Jacques as my first wicket was pretty amazing – not that I’ve mentioned it to him!
“It was nice to get a couple of wickets, though, and show the guys what I can do and to get some runs as well.”
Andy Carter was brought in on loan at the start of the summer from Notts to cover for Michael Hogan’s hamstring injury which meant that Murphy – despite impressing in pre-season – has had to settle for 2nd XI cric
ket so far.
But the left-armer is confident of making his breakthrough – even though the Welsh county are one of only two unbeaten counties left in the Championship.
“Playing in the first-team is definitely the goal this summer,” he added.
“But the boys are doing so well at the moment. In the County Championship we are challenging for promotion and the t20 win last Sunday keeps us in contention as well.
“I just have to keep playing and hope that I get the chance again to show what I can do. The next couple of 2nd XI games will be very important for me.”
Murphy has just completed his first year at Cardiff Met and suffered his side strain against Oxford MCCU in a University game.
And the 6ft 7in teenager, who is still waiting to see if his contract will be extended beyond the end of 2015, is hoping he can prove his worth to his county between now and the end of the summer.
“The goal is to be an all-rounder, I’m batting No.8 at the moment but I’d like to be a bit higher by the end of the summer,” added Murphy, who plays his club cricket for Ammanford. “I need to try to push my case and my bowling is something I am working hard on, too.
“I don’t think I’d have got as far as I have if I was a right armer, but with my left arm and my height I can be a real threat.
“That can be a big advantage and I want to try and make the most of that.
“This is my last year on contract at Glamorgan so the next few weeks are going to be very important for me.
“I’d like to be able to continue my studies and split time with Glamorgan, like this year, so some big performances for the 2nd XI will help me achieve that.
“I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else, this is my home county and I’ve always wanted to play here.”
This piece originally featured in The Cricket Paper on Friday July 3, 2015
