...and is heavily involved in coaching and playing at Colonial Allstar Cricket Club, opens another chapter in the cricketing life of this popular all rounder. Paul has an excellent cricket pedigree, and moving into the twilight of his playing career, there are few better cricketers around to develop coaching skills and expertise. Throughout his distinguished cricket career the Waringstown-born player has been a role model in how he has played the game, and in the professional way he has approached fitness and focus in the modern arena.
Many players have learned the game from the example shown by Paul, and in clubs like North Down where he enjoyed considerable success in the early nineties, he is still revered by both the spectators and the members.
Paul McCrum and his brother Charles created their own niche in local cricket history in 1990 when they left Lurgan to join North Down and launch their colourful professional cricket careers. Both distinguished themselves in club cricket and at the highest level for Ireland for over a decade. Paul played 74 times for Ireland and he took over 100 wickets. He was an integral part of the highly successful Hendrick era and he played a leading part in some of Ireland’s finest achievements, which have been recognized as the launching -pad for the highly-successful current era. He was a leading player in the 1996 European Championship and Triple Crown winning teams, and a member of the Ireland team that beat Middlesex in one of the finest victories for Ireland at the time. He was also a prominent player at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Malaysia when Northern Ireland made their first appearance at that level. Looking back, Paul has achieved virtually every honour available in Irish cricket.
A brilliant opening bowler, Paul McCrum was also a fine opening batsman and the perfect professional, who contributed in every aspect of the match. His list of Man-of-the-Match Awards is phenomenal and his ability to win a match with either bat or ball made his an awesome opponent. He travelled widely in his career and he played in some of the best teams of his time at Waringstown, Lurgan and North Down. He has always achieved at the highest level, and this recent move to Texas may well open another door in the career of this popular cricketer. He has certainly all the attributes to succeed in a coaching role have acquired NCA qualifications and coached at a number of leading clubs in the Province. But perhaps his biggest asset will be the experience gained out in the middle playing with and against some of the best cricketers Ireland has produced in post-war cricket. Paul was certainly in their league, and it remains to be seen if his drive and ambition will see him achieve further honours in his new role at international level. He is currently coaching some of the USA Elite Squad, and his expertise with both bat and ball and his professionalism will make him a superb appointment in a country where a heavy emphasis is put on sporting excellence.
Watch out for Paul McCrum in the years to come, as there’s no doubt he’ll be a big asset to US cricket. Indeed the American gain is Ireland’s loss, but everyone will wish him good fortune, as the one legacy he has left behind is the high respect held for both his work ethic and his cricket ability.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
