Dreams do come true.

When 18-year-old Cade Carmichael packed his suitcase in Durban, he jetted off to Belfast with the stated aim of playing for Ireland. That is expected to happen next week for the Instonians batsman, named in the Ireland squad to face the West Indies in Dublin.

A chance conversation with former Ireland Head Coach Graham Ford persuaded the teenager to put his studies on hold, taking up the offer to play with the Shaw’s Bridge club in the NCU Premiership.

“When I was about 15, I was having a few sessions with Graham, and he advised me that I should try a season in Ireland and see if I enjoyed it as there could be some great opportunities,” said Carmichael.

“I joined Instonians, thoroughly enjoyed it and made a decision to stay on. I really enjoy playing at Shaw’s Bridge, where all the people have been fantastic to me since I arrived back in May 2021. I began staying with a local family for three months, the McCulla’s, then going on to share a house with Cian Robertson from the club. I plan to go home for Christmas with my parents, and spend the rest of the year here. “

His cricketing odyssey is a typical one, with his elder brother and father particularly positive influences in their back yard matches, before playing at school and then with Crusaders in Durban.

He endured a tough first season in Belfast, where his record was a modest one, struggling to adapt to northern hemisphere conditions and pitches initially. Since then, the free-flowing batsman has been on an upwards trajectory, averaging over 40 in his haul of 2528 runs that includes 16 fifties and three centuries.

Carmichael has been very impressed by the standard of cricket in the NCU, and the competitive nature of club cricket in the region.

“I was surprised a little by just how good the teams are here. Back in South Africa the emphasis is maybe more on schools, but here the clubs are very much central to players' thinking. The set-ups at clubs are superb. My favourite to play against and at is Waringstown, where they inevitably seem to have a great pitch. As well as Shaw’s Bridge of course where the runs are flowing this season thanks to the pitches and the relatively short boundaries.”

He modestly omits the fact that he’s been helping out with the groundsman duties, in between his cricket commitments and study. The books are out for him as he has one eye on life after cricket doing an Open University Degree course on Business Studies, having an examination next month.

“I went on the Wolves tour to Nepal last year, but didn’t set the world on fire, and also in the interpros didn’t do anything exceptional. I made a conscious decision to have a bit more balance in my life, helping switch off at times. The Business course is a perfect vehicle for that.

He has been helped by his conversion from a middle-order batsman to opening, a move necessitated by the strength of league leaders Instonians, that includes Irish international Neil Rock and overseas professional Shane Dadswell. He credits the influence of coaches Simon Johnston and Gary Wilson for his recent improvement.

It’s not just his timing on the field that’s impressed, but the now 22-year-old’s rich vein of form in the interprovincial cup came at just the right moment – his scores of 86, 107 and 65 for the Knights coming as the selectors were sitting down with one eye on the future.

His inclusion, along with fellow South Africans Liam McCarthy and Tom Mayes has drawn criticism from some keyboard warriors, given the seemingly increasing reliance on non-Irish born players.

“There has been some criticism online, but I have been living here for four years, and Belfast is very much my home. I really love it here.”

He won’t have the chance to showcase the country to his parents next week as their visas won’t be ready, but they will be here for the T20 Festival in June.

Given Carmichael’s drive and ambition, you suspect it won’t be too long before they get another opportunity to see him in the green shamrock.