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Joshua Little is an exciting prospect in international cricket who has made a name for himself with his left-arm fast bowling. The 23-year-old hails from Ireland and has already made significant contributions to the national team's success. With his talent, pace, and accuracy, Joshua Little is a bowler to watch out for in the years to come.
Joshua Little was born on November 1, 1999, in Ireland into a family that had no connection with cricket. However, he fell in love with the sport as a child and started playing softball cricket at St Andrew's Primary School when he was just ten years old.
Guided by his development coach Andrew Leonard - who went on to become a renowned broadcaster - Joshua Little joined Pembroke Cricket Club during his formative years. There he played alongside future Irish captain Andy Balbirnie.
Apart from cricket, Joshua also played field hockey at Monkstown Hockey Club and represented the Ireland national field hockey team at the Under-16 level.
Little's talent shone through as he quickly rose through the ranks in domestic cricket before being selected for Ireland's U-19 World Cup squad in 2016. He made his T20I debut against Hong Kong later that year when he was just 16 years old.
After withdrawing from Ireland's T20I squad against Afghanistan due to education commitments, Joshua returned to the international fold strongly. He played a vital role as the pace spearhead for Ireland during the 2018 Inter-Provincial Cup and was awarded an Emerging Player Contract by Cricket Ireland ahead of the domestic season.
In May 2019, Joshua Little made his ODI debut against England at The Village before going on to represent Ireland A as well. His performances continued to impress national selectors, leading him to be named in Ireland's T20I and ODI squads against Afghanistan in January 2019.
Joshua Little is predominantly a left-arm fast bowler who has a habit of keeping things tight. He can consistently bowl at speeds of around 140 km/h, which makes him one of the quickest bowlers to have emerged from Ireland.
Little's career stats show that he has been most effective in T20s, where he has taken 62 wickets in 53 matches at an average of 23.75 and an excellent economy rate of 7.65. In ODIs, he has taken 48 wickets in 32 matches at an average of 31.93.
His most notable performance came during the T20 World Cup in 2022, when he took a hat-trick against New Zealand and ended the tournament with seven scalps in four matches during the Super 12 phase.
Joshua Little is known for his accuracy, pace, and ability to swing the ball both ways. His bowling style is reminiscent of Pakistan's Wasim Akram or Mitchell Starc from Australia. His on-field role is usually as a strike bowler who takes early wickets to put pressure on opposition teams.
In terms of IPL experience, Joshua made his debut for Gujarat Titans against Chennai Super Kings in March 2023 after becoming the first Irish cricketer to be bought in the IPL auction.
Joshua Little has quickly established himself as one of Ireland's best cricket prospects with his impressive speed and accuracy as a left-arm fast bowler. With several significant achievements already under his belt, including taking a hat-trick during the T20 World Cup, there's no doubt that Joshua Little has a bright future ahead of him.
His humble demeanour, hard working attitude, and dedication to the game make him a promising player to watch out for in the coming years.
Joshua Little has been a vital player for the Irish cricket team in major tournaments and series. He was part of the squad that made history by qualifying for the 2018 ICC Cricket World Cup hosted in England, where he put up an impressive show with his pace bowling. He also played a crucial role in Ireland's campaign during the 2022 T20 World Cup held in Australia.
During the 2022 T20 World Cup, Little took seven wickets in just four matches at a remarkable economy rate of 5.60. He became the first Irish bowler to take a hat-trick in T20Is against New Zealand, which helped his team secure an unexpected victory over the Kiwis.
In addition to ICC events, Little has also showcased his talent on various other platforms, such as IPL and LPL. In March 2023, he made his IPL debut with the Gujarat Titans and picked up seven wickets during his ten appearances.
Little is primarily known for his left-arm fast bowling skills, which have added depth to Ireland's bowling attack. With a natural ability to swing the ball both ways at high speeds, Little has frequently knocked down top-order batsmen with ease.
Although he still needs improvement in his batting game, he plays an important role as a lower-order batsman who can contribute valuable runs when needed. His fielding skills are also noteworthy.
His tactical awareness is one of Little's strengths; he adapts quickly to situations and reads opponents' weaknesses well when it comes to planning out bowling attacks or setting up fields for teammates.
Overall, Joshua Little emerges as one of the rising stars of Irish cricket, thanks to his exceptional skill set that is improving with every match.
Despite being young age-wise, Joshua Little carries himself with a mature outlook, both on and off the field. He maintains a calm and composed demeanour that sets him apart from his peers.
Little's leadership qualities have also been recognized by cricket pundits, who believe he is a future captaincy candidate for Ireland. He has previously captained the Irish U-19 team in various tournaments. Away from cricket, Little enjoys spending time with his family and friends. His hobbies include playing golf and watching movies.
Joshua Little is sponsored by brands like Gray Nicolls, which supplies him with cricket equipment. He was recently named the Men's International Player of the Year 2022 at the Clear Treasury Irish Cricket Awards ceremony.
Joshua Little has emerged as one of the most promising young cricketers in Ireland. With his ability to swing the ball at high speeds, he has become an important part of his national team's bowling attack. As he continues to hone his skills and gain experience on the international circuit, there is no doubt that Little will be a name to watch out for in world cricket in years to come.
Joshua Little's impact on cricket is still growing, despite his relative youth. As one of Ireland's most exciting young players, he has already made a contribution to the development of Irish cricket that cannot be overstated. Little's left-arm fast bowling style has been instrumental in helping Ireland secure victories against some of the world's top sides.
As a role model for young cricketers across Ireland and beyond, Little has proven himself to be an inspiration for anyone who dreams of playing at the highest level of the sport. His dedication and commitment to improving his game have earned him widespread respect from fans and fellow players alike.
Joshua Little has been honoured with several awards throughout his career, including being named in the ICC Men's T20I Team of the Year for 2022. He was also awarded the Men's International Player of the Year for 2022 at the Clear Treasury Irish Cricket Awards.
Joshua Little has established himself as one of Ireland's most promising young cricketers, with a bright future ahead of him in both domestic and international cricket. Blessed with natural talent and an unwavering commitment to hard work, he has already achieved more than many players do in their entire careers.
Little may be just getting started in his journey as a professional cricketer, but he has already shown that he is capable of competing at the highest levels of the game. Fans will no doubt continue to follow his progress with great interest as he continues to make a mark on cricket around the world.
FAQs
How old was Joshua Little when he made his international debut?
Joshua Little was a little over 16 years old when he made his international debut, making him one of the youngest players to have played at that level.
What are Joshua Little's career stats?
In ODI matches, Joshua Little has played 30 innings, taking 48 wickets at an average of 31.93 and an economy rate of 5.92. In T20I matches, he has played 52 innings, taking 62 wickets at an average of 23.75 and an economy rate of 7.65.
Has Joshua Little ever scored a century in international cricket?
No, Joshua Little has not scored a century in international cricket.
What IPL team does Joshua Little play for?
Joshua Little made his IPL debut for the Gujarat Titans in March 2023.
Has Joshua Little taken a hat-trick in international cricket?
Yes, Joshua Little achieved a hat-trick in the T20 World Cup 2022 during Ireland's game against New Zealand.
