Joe McCaffrey is highly regarded among his coaches at the ICC Academy but instead of playing with his young team-mates, the leg-spinner will don the Hungary shirt and test himself against the likes of Romania, Malta and Poland in Budapest in July in a five-team T20 tournament.
Son of British beIN Sports presenter Rob McCaffrey, Joe qualifies to represent the minnows through his Hungarian mother Beata.
While Australia, India and England are among the nations that stand out in the sport, understandably, McCaffrey could not believe his luck that a Hungarian national team existed.
“My mum is Hungarian so I travel there for family visits and my dad did some searches on the internet to see if there was any cricket being played there,” he said.
“We found out that there was a Hungarian cricket team and I attended a trial with their player- coach Duncan Shoebridge watching. I didn’t know much about the history of the team. In fact, I didn’t know one thing about them at all. I was purely focused as I knew I only had one chance to impress him.”
His qualities caught the eye of Englishman Shoebridge and McCaffrey got the eagerly-awaited phone call.
“I was just jumping with joy because it’s a big thing for me as I’m just 12-years-old,” said the Liverpool fan.
“My dad really had to calm me down but it’s a great honour.”
Even now, the ICC Academy pupil does not know much about his team. Not surprisingly, given that Hungary only became an Affiliate member in June 2012.
His achievements were recognised at his school – Jumeirah College, although he had to put up with jokes from his friends.
“They laughed but I knew there was a bit of jealousy,” he said with a big smile. “They have been taking the mickey out of me. But at the same time, they’ve asked me to give signed merchandise if I make it big. It’s cheeky but I do want to prove them wrong.”
The event in Budapest will give him a first opportunity of coming up against adults and it’s a challenge that he is relishing.
“I hope they don’t mind playing with a youngster,” said McCaffrey, who speaks fluent Hungarian. “Even though, they are not the biggest team, it’s a massive honour for me especially for my mother.
“It will be a big occasion for my family and this is a massive step for me. I will do my utmost to work hard and be included in the starting 11.”
McCaffrey is also eligible to play for England. Although his immediate focus is on Hungary, if the two European nations ever met in an unlikely encounter, he only wants one result.
“I don’t want either team to win or lose because they’re both my countries. I would love to play in one game, play really well and let the match finish as a draw.”
