Have Ireland finally developed a top class spinner?

Matthew Humphreys continues to impress after taking 2-16 against the West Indies

Matthew Humphreys took 2-16 against the West Indies. 📸: Cricket Ireland

Since growing a moustache, Matthew Humphreys has a Test match six-fer and arguably one of the best spells in Irish T20 history (that was Paul Stirling’s verdict, not mere journalistic hyperbole).

Call it a coincidence. Call it the Samson effect. Call it a young man comfortable in his own skin. Humphreys, already identified as Ireland’s spinner as the future, has cemented his status as the country’s tweaker of the present.

Speaking on The Irish Cricket Podcast, pundit Ally McCalmont compared the left-armer’s effort of 2-16 against the West Indies as a breakout performance on par with Ross Adair’s hundred vs South Africa. It’s difficult for a bowler to have the same impact as a marauding power hitter in a T20. But given the 16 overs not bowled by Humphreys in Bready cost Ireland 240 runs, he made his best go of it.

According to Cricinfo, Evin Lewis' 91 off 44 balls was the game’s most impactful performance. Humphreys, in a losing effort, was not far off.

A country which does not produce many top end spinners looks to have stumbled across one that could earn world class status.