Ireland: Mark Waugh's arrival eases NatWest pain

It takes a lot to douse the spirits of the Irish and Mark Waugh's arrival to play for the national team is just the tonic after its loss in the NatWest Trophy. Gerry Byrne reports:

"Ireland's season got off to a bad start, despite coming into it fresh from playing in the Emerging Nations Tournament in Zimbabwe.

The opening match was the first round of the NatWest Trophy against Shropshire at Castle Avenue. The Irish team had one newcomer from the tour in Gerard Brophy. He is a South African who played for Gauteng over the winter but is of Irish descent, with both of his parents born in Ireland. While this led to his not being regarded as an overseas player fro the NatWest Trophy, it does not qualify him to play for Ireland in Toronto in 2001 under the present rules for this Trophy. Only birth or 5 years residential qualification would allow him to play. There have been some suggestions that the rules may be relaxed to allow players to represent the country of the birth of either of their parents. If this happened, he would of course then qualify. However, he would have to consider if he wishes to make himself available for selection as that might rule him out of the South African side - although Gavin Hamilton played for Scotland in the last World Cup and subsequently went on to represent England in Test Cricket.

In any event Ireland lost the game against Shropshire rather easily, even though it went down to the penultimate over. Shropshire struck a huge blow by winning the toss and putting Ireland in. Ireland never came to terms with the wicket and the slow outfield and were all out for 140 in the 45th Over. The only one to make a major contribution for Ireland was captain Angus Dunlop with 56 before being last out. The failure to bat out the 50 Overs did not help. Leading Shropshire bowler was A.B.Byram with 4 wickets.

While they progressed slowly from the start, even leading to the thought at one stage that the overs might run out with them being short, Shropshire eventually paved themselves will, winning off the last ball of the 49th over with only 5 wickets down. The innings was held together by T. Parton with 51*.

Apart from being knocked out of the NatWest Trophy, this result meant that tehre would be no international cricket at all in 2000 in the Northern Cricket Union area.

Next up was the three day match against M.C.C., this year scheduled for Eglinton. Ireland showed two changes, due to the unavailability of Angus Dunlop and Ed Joyce. They were replaced by Andy Patterson and Paul Mooney. However, Patterson, who is on contract with Sussex at present, had to withdraw when he was brought into the Sussex first team for his Championship debut and retained his place for a match which clashed with the Ireland game. He was then replaced by new can Ryan Haire, whose father Robin had won three caps for Ireland in a tour of Zimbabwe in 1986. The M.C.C. side included Stephen Warke, former Ireland captain and now one of the Irish Selectors. It should have given him a good chance to observe his charges at close quarters.

In any event weather again played the spoilsport with the first day being totally washed out and the remaining two days being changed to become 2 one day games. The first, of 50 Overs a side, ended with the M.C.C. winnings by 8 runs ons traight run rate, those well known cricketers Duckworth/Lewis not being available to aplly thier science to the result. M.C.C. had batted first and had been dismissed for 171. Ireland found themselves with the weather threatening. Eventually they failed being 73 for 4 after 23.3 Overs when the rain caused the abandonment and M.C.C. the winners. The consolation perhaps came in the form of new cap Ryan Haire who scored an excellent 31*, coming in with the total on 2 for 2.

Rain again interfered on the Third day, this time falling with only 22 Overs bowled and M.C.C. on 96-5. The day also saw the announcement of the retirement from International cricket of Alan Rutherford who had been one of the wicket-keepers on the tour of Zimbabwe last winter. "Nipper" represented Ireland 40 times, including captaining on a couple of occasions, and will be missed.

Ireland's next outing is against Zimbabwe with two one day games to be played in Dublin in the first week in June. As has been usual voer the past few years, and thanks to the sponsorship of the Irish Independent, an overseas player will be visiting Ireland for a three week coaching spell and will play in those two matches. This year's player is Mark Waugh - another case of twins playing for Ireland as Steve was the guest two years ago. Mark will have fond memories of Castle Avenue, where the matches are to be played. In 1986 he came over with the M.C.C., being on the groundstaff then, as a last minute substitute. Nick Pocock M.C.C. captain, mentioned he was a promising young player, though mainly a bowler and an injury he was suffering from meant he would only be able to play as a batsman. He then proceeded to score 239* and 101*. It was probably as well he was not able to bowl!! We look forward however to his arrival and hope he also will enjoy himself.

The First Round of the Royal Liver Irish Senior Cup saw some very exciting matches and indeed some upsets. It has left 5 teams from each of Leinster and Northern Cricket Unions and 6 from the North West in the next round - a fairly even spread. However, looking at the survivors, Limavady and Donemana from the North West must again look favourites, though Merrion from Leinster could well be a dark horse to get Leinster only their second win in the competition. Mush will depend on the draw, due to be made this weekend, as home advantage counts for a lot in this cup."