Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Isaac Bepey talks to the local media after Tuesday’s debut. .
Isaac Bepey admits that the dream of professional cricket “was something I’d probably let go of a little while ago”. But then Yorkshire came calling.
Bepey, 25, made his first-team debut in Tuesday’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup defeat against Hampshire at Scarborough, taking an encouraging three wickets.
A left-arm fast bowler from Kent – he dropped out of their pathway system in his mid-teens – Bepey has spent time at University in Cardiff and Leeds, the latter providing a route into county cricket.
Bepey has impressed playing for Leeds/Bradford University, for Farsley in the Bradford League and also for the Yorkshire second team, hence his breakthrough to play in the first team.
Introducing himself to Yorkshire supporters, Bepey said: “I’m from Kent originally, grew up there, was in Pathways until I was probably like 16, dropped out of that system but kept loving my cricket.
“I was playing Premier League cricket for Tonbridge Wells and then went to Uni.
“I initially went to Cardiff but dropped out of there – didn’t have the best time on my course – and then came up to Leeds, which is obviously where this connection has come from.
“I was part of the University, the UCCE stuff which has been running for a long time now.
“I did that last year, had a great time and got a taste for it again and felt like it was a realistic dream again.
“It was something that I’d probably let go of a little while ago.
“Then, coming back to it, it was like, ‘Wow, I don’t think this has gone anymore’.
“There was a chance there, especially for someone like me as a left-armer that’s a little bit of a unique selling point, and it gives me a slight leg up on a lot of other people to just kind of break those doors open a little bit.”
Bepey spent his most recent winter in Melbourne before returning home and making a promise to himself.
“I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m going to properly commit and see where it goes’.
“I’ve been trialling with the twos for a couple of months now, and then got the nod for the One-Day Cup. So obviously super-excited, and hopefully there’s more to come.”
Bepey studied Medical Engineering at University – a year in industry and a Masters over five years.
But, as aforementioned, he’s desperate to make it in professional cricket.
“That’s obviously the dream,” he said. “Growing up as a kid, it’s always the dream for so many kids, and I realise how lucky I am to even have this opportunity.
“Hopefully I can build on this and really show the guys that I belong here and hopefully be good for Yorkshire for a little while to come.
“The staff, the players, everyone, it’s been such an easy experience for me. I was saying that to some friends the other day. I feel like I’ve had every chance to succeed here.”
And ahead of today’s clash with Glamorgan at Neath, Bepey was asked to describe himself as a bowler, and he added: “Obviously, as a left-armer, my primary skill is swinging the ball back in, which has lots of value in red-ball, of course.
“But white-ball, it’s kind of like up top, take wickets, and then I back my skills at the death, my slower balls and my change-ups. So I’d say, as a player, I’m bookending the innings.
“I think my skillset probably lends itself to white-ball a little bit more than red. But I’m always hesitant to close the door on any formats.”
