IRISH CRICKETDEDICATION, LOYALTY and commitment are words often bandied about in sport, yet more and more those terms seem to run hollow. Whether it is the sight of soccer stars kissing the club badge on their shirts a few weeks before leaving for a lucrative transfer, or internationals deciding early retirement can prolong their club careers, those old values are often a devalued currency.
Well, step forward Kyle McCallan, who celebrated his 200th international cap for Ireland on Monday - the first to reach the milestone. Although rain eventually led to the abandonment of the game against Kenya after just eight overs, there was still time for the Belfast schoolteacher to receive the acclaim of the hardy souls who braved a wet morning at Stormont.
McCallan, who celebrates his 33rd birthday today, has admitted he was in awe of some senior players when he made his debut against Wales back in 1996, although his nerves were soon calmed by a wicket with his first delivery in international cricket.
In those days he was essentially an opening batsman, who bowled a bit of off-spin, and a century followed on his second cap against the MCC. To date he has only added one more ton, against Wales in 1998, but his talent with both bat and ball have made him the only Ireland player with over 3,000 runs and 200 wickets to his name in a career where he has constantly adapted and developed his game.
His contribution to Irish cricket goes way beyond the runs and wickets columns in a 12-year international career in which he has led his country on 46 occasions. He has also been a very dependable vice-captain, especially so during the World Cup last year, when he helped take the pressure off skipper Trent Johnston.
His spirited defence of Ireland's foreign-born players in front of an English media that seemed to be overly fascinated by them was one of the finer displays in front of the cameras, while he also led the side out against West Indies at Sabina Park when Johnston was injured.
Although he spent time with Derbyshire and Surrey, McCallan never did make the breakthrough in the County game that his talent deserved. The Waringstown player has had a chance to show that at the top level, with Ireland's elevation to One Day International status back in 2006, and he has played in all 31 since then, picking up 30 wickets.
His ability to put the brakes on in the middle overs has also been key, with an economy rate of a shade over four runs an over being more than acceptable.
With no major injury worries or loss of form to contend with, McCallan has had an incredible run in the international arena, having missed just four of the 156 games played since the start of the century. Having spent close on nine months of his life playing with a shamrock on his sweater, McCallan is bound to play a role in the game when he eventually takes his bow from the international stage.
The good news is he has no intentions of that just yet and is looking forward to helping Ireland qualify for a second 50-over World Cup next year and a debut in the Twenty20 version in England in the summer.
McCallan may even threaten the 300-cap barrier before he hangs up his bowling spikes, but this amateur sportsman's dedication to Ireland and cricket will leave a lasting legacy that just can't be quantified.
IRELAND FINISH their summer campaign off today with the final game of the Carnegie Cup series against Kenya at Stormont (10.45). Having won the opening tussle on Sunday, the second game fell victim to the weather with only eight overs bowled on Monday.
Ireland coach Phil Simmons's selection headache is eased as he has only 11 players left to call on with Boyd Rankin gone back to Warwickshire.
With Kevin O'Brien out with a back injury, it leaves Ireland light on front-line bowlers, with Andre Botha or Alex Cusack likely to take the new ball alongside Peter Connell.
Playing on his home ground, Regan West will hope to finally take to the field after winning his first cap on Monday, the 29-year-old New Zealand-born player is likely to play a part with both bat and ball.
IRELAND (v Kenya, Stormont, 10.45) -
W Porterfield (Gloucestershire, Capt), A Botha (North County), P Connell (North Down), A Cusack (Clontarf), G Kidd (Waringstown), K McCallan (Waringstown), A Poynter (Clontarf), P Stirling (Cliftonville), R Strydom (North County), R West (Civil Service North), G Wilson (Surrey).
