Madeira’s most well-known son is Cristiano Ronaldo, and the island modified the identify of its airport in honour of the Portuguese soccer star.
Henriques joked he “would possibly get a helicopter pad” named after him, if he is ready to skipper Portugal to the World Cup.
Portugal, ranked thirty seventh on the earth, will first have to return by the 10-team event in Finland, the place they’ve drawn Czech Republic, Germany, Greece and Israel in Group B.
Ought to they progress, the following stage can be a European last regional qualifier with Scotland, Jersey and Denmark subsequent 12 months.
Henriques mentioned whereas incomes a Saggy Inexperienced will take some beating, the sensation of pulling on a Portugal shirt, and captaining the nation, can be one thing particular.
“I went again to Madeira final 12 months and it was the primary time I would been again, however I felt actually linked to the place,” Henriques mentioned.
“Once I performed for Australia, my household additionally felt I used to be representing them as effectively. I am representing the motherland, so to talk, and it will really feel considerably related.
“Hopefully we are able to make a constructive influence making an attempt to develop the game in Portugal and possibly Europe extra broadly as effectively.”
Henriques, who may even play for Glasgow Cosmic within the inaugural European T20 Premier League following the qualifier, isn’t the one participant in Portugal’s squad to have performed professionally.
Batter Cameron Shekleton, 26, has performed first-class cricket in South Africa and appeared for the Proteas A aspect.
Former New Zealand Underneath-19 captain Craig Cachopa, 34, represented Sussex, Auckland and Wellington.
“I used to be quietly and pleasantly stunned with the standard of cricketers that we have within the workforce,” Henriques mentioned.
“There’s loads of high-level cricketers going round, which I in all probability wasn’t anticipating just a few years in the past after I first began entertaining the considered taking part in.”
One problem that Henriques will face on the qualifier in Finland is taking part in on a man-made pitch for the primary time in just a few many years.
“It will be 25 years since I’ve really performed a recreation of cricket on an artificial wicket,” added the previous Sydney Sixers skipper.
“I am popping out of again surgical procedure about 5 months in the past so the most important problem bowling can be touchdown on an artificial wicket on coming off a full run-up.
“Clearly we practice loads indoors on artificial wickets so hopefully I could make the adjustment.”
Hearken to the complete interview with Moises Henriques on the BBC Stumped podcast.
