Sam Hain reveals sleepless night before his debut 89 for England in victory over Ireland – even though batsman had ‘made peace’ that his chance may never come

• England finally thrust prolific Sam Hain to the fore for his first cap aged 28
• The batsman grew up in Australia but moved to Warwickshire as a teenager 
• He is one of the next generation identified by England for after World Cup
• Latest Rugby World Cup 2023 news, including fixtures, live scores and results

Despite spending a decade developing the second best batting record in one-day history, Sam Hain still suffered from disturbed sleep ahead of his debut 89 that helped England open up a 1-0 series lead over Ireland.

‘There were nerves there and that’s because I really care. I really want to do well for England. I’ve waited a long time for an opportunity and I am grateful for it. I don’t care who you are, anyone who says they’re not nervous on a day like this would be lying,’ said a player whose average of 58.56 in one-day cricket is bettered only by India’s Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Hain woke up at midnight and saw the clock at 2am and 4am on the morning of an international breakthrough 10 years in the making. 

However, its timing, coinciding with the Rugby World Cup, meant that his father Bryan was able to witness the 84-ball innings first hand. 

Hain senior nipped over from France where he is leading a tour party of pupils as director of sport at The Southport School in Queensland.

England finally thrust prolific batsman Sam Hain to the fore for his first cap aged 28

Hain grew up in Australia but moved to Warwickshire as a teenager to play on his British passport and although now 28, he is one of the next generation identified by England in their plans beyond next month’s World Cup. Until this call-up, there were fears he might have missed the boat.

‘I actually made peace that I might never, ever get the chance but that doesn’t mean I lacked ambition. When I was younger, I probably searched for playing for England too much, got lost in the hype a little bit,’ he admitted.

‘And I probably got the kick up the backside I needed from missing the first year of the Hundred. That forced my hand a little bit to delve into my game more. When I am in full flow, I am a 360-degree player and the big change that I had to make was taking the game on a bit earlier.’

England’s second string will be looking to wrap up a series win in Bristol on Tuesday, having opened up their advantage on the back of Hain’s runs, a maiden international half century for Will Jacks and four wickets from Leicestershire leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed.

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