Murtagh keen to declare for Ireland

Cricket:Middlesex opening bowler Tim Murtagh is exploring the possibility of declaring for Ireland through the grandparent rule

The 29-year-old has been a mainstay of the attack at Lord’s in recent years and is presently third in the list of first-class wicket-takers this summer, with 32 victims at an average of 21.37.

Born in Lambeth, Murtagh outlined that three of his grandparents were born in Ireland and that he would love the chance to play international cricket.

And he outlined how his former Middlesex team-mate and Ireland player Ed Joyce has played his part.

“It’s a funny story really. I was away with Ed Joyce during the winter for a weekend with our partners and it just came up one night when we were sat in the pub. He was asking about my Irish roots, I’ve got Irish grandparents so I do have Irish blood in me,” Murtagh told BBC London today.

“It would definitely be an avenue that I would look at exploring. There were a couple of enquiries, I think I would be eligible for an Irish passport and to play. Nothing was really made of it after then but I haven’t heard anything back from them. Whether they’re keen or not I don’t know,” he added.

Murtagh played at under-19 level for England, but has never made the breakthrough to the international team despite being a proven performer in the county game.

“I suppose I’m coming up to my 30th birthday so realistically if I was going to play for England that would have happened by now. So the chance to play an international tournament would be massive for me and something I would find very hard to turn down,” added Murtagh.

In 104 first-class matches, Murtagh has taken 312 wickets at an average of 30, while he is also a useful lower-order batsman, averaging 22, with nine half-centuries and a highest score of 74 not out.