IRELAND’S dramatic win over the UAE on Wednesday in Brisbane brought back memories for Alex Cusack, who grew up only minutes away from the ground.
Cusack’s partnership with George Dockrell saw the Boys in Green seal their second win from two games in their World Cup journey at a venue where he’d played in his early years.
"I'd actually played on the outfield at the Gabba as a kid during a camp, but that's the first time I'd played a proper match there," said Cusack, speaking to the Irish Independent.
His father Richard emigrated to Australia from Tipperary in the 1950s, and its here that Clontarf all-rounder Cusack became inspired to play cricket.
"Growing up in Bardon, one of the northern suburbs, I'd go there to see Queensland and follow players like Matt Hayden and Stuart Law, and I remember watching Pakistan play South Africa in the 1992 World Cup. There's always a great atmosphere."
There was a doubt over Cusack’s place in the World Cup squad, after a hip injury caused him to miss most of the domestic season.
But Coach Phil Simmons included him in the team, and Cusack believes that he’s on the road to recovery.
"I'm not too bad. I've still got a few niggles but nothing serious," he said. "The long gaps between games helps me. It is tough to get myself up for another game a couple of days after the last but I'm bowling more overs in the nets than in the past couple of years."
