Has Josh Little returned to form?

Ireland's left-arm quick marked his return to the XI with three wickets against Oman

Josh Little wants to play in May’s Test match against New Zealand.

It’s a startling admission following Ireland’s thumping win over Oman on Saturday. The game marked Little’s return to the Ireland XI after being left out during the recent UAE tour which served as World Cup preparation.

The Pembroke quick had, for the first time in a long time - if ever - been dropped. He’d be forgiven for worrying about bowling four high quality overs at a time in T20 cricket, let alone the 20+ a day required in a Test match.

“I’ve made myself available [for New Zealand] if and when my name gets called, I’ll be there,” says Little. “I’ve not played much red ball cricket, my last red ball game could have been 2019, here [a Wolves tour to Sri Lanka]. We’ll see about that one but even getting involved, providing some knowledge to the lads around bowling in general, whether I play or not, it’s not up to me but I’d love to be around that set-up.”

Little announced himself on the world stage during the 2021 T20 World Cup, impressing with the new ball against Sri Lanka. In the 12 months since, including the 2022 World Cup where he played a crucial role in Ireland beating England, not to mention his hat-trick against New Zealand, Little took 45 scalps in 32 T20Is at an average of 19 runs conceded per wicket.

Such form saw him picked up in the IPL by Gujarat Titans for a sum in the region of $500,000. He played in that year’s final, the pinnacle of domestic cricket globally. Since then, he’s notched 23 wickets in 24 T20Is at an average of 29, each wicket costing 10 more runs than during his purple patch.

The drop-off hasn’t been linear. In 2024, he played one game in the IPL for Gujarat, taking 4-45. That one game, though, offers another turning point. In his first 124 T20 games (up to that one IPL game in 2024), Little had 149 wickets at an average of 22 and an economy of 7.7

In the two years since then, Little has played just 26 T20s. He has taken 18 wickets at an average of 46 and an economy of 9.1. The numbers do not lie.

Paul Stirling was asked about an expensive Little spell following an ODI against the West Indies last May. He made clear his view that, in order to be at his best, the left-armer needs overs in his legs. He can’t come into a series cold. 26 games in two years does not serve that goal. In this period, Little has had plenty of stints in franchise cricket, only to find himself running the drinks. Ireland’s much-maligned schedule hasn’t helped either.

“That West Indies series, I hadn’t bowled in two weeks because I was in the PSL and we were locked in the hotel with no cricket [amidst rising political tensions between India and Pakistan]. I obviously wasn’t going to feel in decent nick. Unfortunately I did my hamstring in one of those games and that set me back.

“Potentially I haven’t played as much as I would have liked through injury, lack of game time, lack of performance, these things add up. The best I’ve felt is when I’m playing consistently. Trying to get game time in the legs to try and maintain that rhythm is crucial for myself.”

All of which makes Saturday’s game intriguing. Little hasn’t been in the team for the last number of games. He played twice against Bangladesh before Christmas but not vs England in September. It hasn’t been a busy period yet here he was, offering a timely reminder of his quality, given Ireland’s desperation for a win. Technical work has been done behind the scenes.

“[I was] falling away a little bit with my side,” says Little. “I fractured my rib during the summer so getting some strength back in that and getting some confidence that it has recovered. I did my hamstring twice last season as well, so making sure that’s nice and confident on my front foot.

“It’s more gaining confidence in my body again rather than rhythm. The two go hand in hand so it was nice to feel like I was able to let the handbrake off today and get some poles in a pretty big win.”

The headline numbers against Oman - 3-16 in four overs - make for pretty reading. That said, given the lack of quality in the opposition, it’s the eye-test which matters. Little was beating batters for pace, getting the ball to zip off the surface. Two men were caught off short balls. One tail-ender missed a fast, full and straight one. Ball speed matters - Little was hitting the 140km/h mark, a good sign in and of itself - but so does pace off the surface. You have to watch the batters for that.

In the past, when Little has been out of rhythm, his natural heavy length sits up, waiting to be pulled by quality players. When he’s on, the ball rushes batters. Swing with the new ball has also been a feature but, given recent form, work still needs to be done to win back sufficient trust to bowl up top.

“I’ve been working on three-quarter seam [position] with Eagy so if it isn’t swinging I can go to the three-quarter seam and I feel super confident in letting the ball fly.

“I’m quite a shoulder and wrist dominant bowler. I used to play quite a bit of tennis ball stuff so using that flick of my wrist for pace. Rather than bounce, I’m more skiddy. I get onto guys in the armpit area rather than the head area. That is one of my natural skills.

“Having the confidence to believe in your game time and repeating that week in week out. Overs in the legs, repeating your skill is crucial to success.”

Looming over any Little conversation is his Middlesex stint last summer. He was signed as an overseas for the T20 Blast but only played four matches. Injuries occurred. Form fluctuated. All involved would have been forgiven for feeling underwhelmed by the experience.

“It was managing both sides of it,” explains Little. “I’m Cricket Ireland contracted and we had the interpros. Both people wanted a piece of the pie per se and I was struggling with injuries and travelling. I think I was on 14 flights in 31 days back and forth, which was quite difficult on the body and I ultimately ended up with a rib fracture and two grade one hammies which ruined my season.

“It’s about marrying it up and seeing what works best for me in that time, making sure both parties are happy. My focus for now is definitely the Irish stuff.”

Will there be another Middlesex contract, especially considering appearances in the County Championship should serve a desire to return to red ball? “I haven’t heard anything,” says Little. “I think I’d need to speak to Cricket Ireland and see what the story is there. I’m not going to comment on that because I don’t have the answer but I’m keen to play some red ball cricket.”

In theory, the Middlesex arrangement makes sense. Living away from Ireland, playing for that specific county gives Little access to Tim Murtagh, Middlesex’s bowling coach. There are regular county matches across all three formats. Stability close to home.

“Absolutely,” agrees Little. “Like I said, I’m going to focus on the World Cup for now, that’s my priority the next game against Zim, but once the summer comes around we can see how that might look.”

As a left-armer capable of pushing 90 m/ph, Ireland were always going to give Little every chance to halt his slide. To actually make the call of dropping him right before a World Cup is a significant statement, one that reflects the extent of his dip. Both in terms of quality and duration. Given that backdrop, it must have been a particularly enjoyable experience to be back to something approaching his potential. Even against poor opposition.

“It was great, it was nice to be back out, getting the airplane celebration back out. The lads said they wanted to see an airplane today so I’m glad I can do that.

“It’s always a privilege to play at a World Cup, it’s my fourth World Cup. To get a win with my partner and family here with other partners and families is special, but to do it at a World Cup is pretty amazing.”

Greater challenges lie ahead. Including, apparently, red ball. If the lone IPL appearance of 2024 served as a starting point for the decline, all involved in Irish cricket will hope that Saturday in Colombo serves as a sliding doors moment in the opposite direction.