The return of the Limavady Slaughterman

Desmond 'Dekker' Curry, the slaughterman from Limavady, is likely to make his reappearance in the Irish national team at April's ICC Emerging Nations tournament in Zimbabwe after an absence of almost three years.

Curry, described by team-mates as 'Jayasuriya-like' for his ability to tear apart an attack, returns following the appointment of Ken Rutherford as national coach. Also making comebacks are Neil Doak (injured since Malaysia '97) and slow left-armer, Matt Dwyer, who returns as Ireland begins its build-up to the 2001 ICC Trophy.

Probable captain, Angus Dunlop, is enthusiastic about the tournament, for which the draw was announced at the weekend. "It will be quite interesting - it will be the hardest tournament we have played in outside the ICC Trophy. Hopefully it will continue every couple of years," Dunlop said.

As preparation for Toronto 2001, Dunlop was keeping it in perspective. "There will probably be rusty performances by the European teams as they are all playing out of season. For us, it won't be a worry if we lose three matches, as long as they aren't all by 200 runs. It is a fantastic opportunity, especially as a measurement against the other teams."

It is hoped English county pros, Ryan Eagleson (Derbyshire) and Edmond Joyce (Middlesex) will make the trip to Harare. The tournament squad will be chosen at the end of the month.

The 26 man squad has been chosen not just for Zimbabwe, but the 2000 international season, which will be one of Ireland's busiest for some time.

The full squad for the 2000 international season is: Barry Archer (The Hills), Jonathon Bushe (Waringstown), Owen Butler (Old Belvedere), Neil Carson (Istonians), Gordon Cooke (Brigade), Desmond 'Dekker' Curry (Limavady), John Davy (Pembroke), Peter Davy (Pembroke), Neil Doak (Lisburn), Angus Dunlop (YMCA), Matt Dwyer (The Hills), Ryan Eagleson (Derbyshire), Peter Gillespie, Derek Heasley (Lisburn), Edmond Joyce (Middlesex), Kyle McCallan (Cliftonville), Adrian McCoubrey (Balymena), Richard McDaid, Dwayne McGerrigle, Greg Molins (Railway Union), Jason Molins (Railway Union), Paul Mooney (The Hills), Andrew Patterson (Cliftonville), Mark Patterson (Surrey), Alan Rutherford, Peter Shields (North Downs).

Meanwhile, BTW is pleased to welcome Neil Leitch, the official Scottish Cricket Union scorer, as its Scottish correspondent. Neil will provide regular news on the Scottish cricket scene.

"Scotland has named the following relatively inexperienced squad for the ICC Emerging Nations Tournament. It will form a vital part of the Scottish preparation for next year's ICC Trophy tournament.

The squad is: G Salmond (Capt.), DJ Cox, NJ MacRae, CJO Smith, Ayaz Gul, CC MacKellar, P Jack, GI Maiden, DR Lockhart, CM Wright, JG Williamson, JE Brinkley, A Duncan RA Parsons.

Peter Jack, Craig MacKellar and Alan Duncan (who is currently on the Lord's ground staff) have, to date, never appeared for the full Scotland side.

Cox, Smith & Gul were only introduced to the side after last year's World Cup. The "new look" can be further judged by the fact that only Salmond, Williamson & Brinkley appeared in the World Cup pool of players.

Mike Allingham is the latest in a line of Scottish players to announce his retirement from international cricket following the World Cup. Allingham played 47 times for Scotland between 1991 & 1999, scoring 958 runs at an average of 28.2 & taking 36 wickets at an average of 35.2. He also took 19 catches, including a splendid effort to dismiss Australia's Ricky Ponting in the World Cup.

Also unavailable for selection were: Nick Dyer, Asim Butt, Scott Gourlay, Keith Sheridan and Kevin Thomson.

In other Scottish news, two senior appointments will soon be made at the SCU. Adverts have been placed for a National Coach to work with the SCU Director of Cricket Jim Love, & assume full responsibilty for all Scotland youth sides & work as a bowling coach with the Scotland Senior Squad. Funding for this new role has been obtained from the British National Lottery.

A new Chief Executive is also likely to be appointed later this year as part of a large scale Development Plan for Scottish cricket which is about to be implemented. The current SCU General Manager Alex Ritchie retires on 31st. January &, until the new appointment is made, ex SCU President David Hays will hold the role of Acting General Manager.

The recent introduction into the South Africa side by 30 year old Pieter Strydom comes as no surprise to the followers of Scottish cricket. He was a very successful professional with the Strathmore club from Forfar in the North of Scotland for the1996 & 1997 seasons, scoring 6 centuries. indeed, sheer economics was the only reason preventing his return in 1998."

Many thanks to Neil and BTW looks forward to his contributions.

Netherlands national coach, Emmerson Trotman, said he is likely to test his options for Toronto 2001 with the composition of his squad for Harare.

"I will probably experiment with spin bowlers and the wicket-keeping position," Trotman said last week, prior to flying to South Africa.

Like Dunlop, Trotman is enthusiastic about the tournament.

"Zimbabwe will really help for 2001. It is fantastic preparation. The strongest teams are playing there."

The Barbadian said the news that Andre van Troost was "committing himself to Dutch cricket was tremendous."

For Trotman, Harare will represent the final phase in his four year quest to take the Netherlands to the 2003 World Cup.

"When I first took over after Malaysia (1997), the side was completely rebuilt. Some guys stopped playing and I replaced other guys."

He said despite the experimentation in Harare, he would be looking to maintain a stable side throughout the Netherlands' busy 2000 international season.

Trotman is already on the African continent where he is overseeing nine young players for a two month stay in Cape Town, South Africa. The players are: Ejaz Nawaz (ACC), Henk Jan Mol (Quick Haag), Faisal Zaman (Rood en Wit), Job van Bunge (VCC), Victor Grandia (VRA), Thom de Grooth (HCC), Reinout van Ierschot (VOC), Dick Kramer (Quick Haag), Arjen Ruitenberg (Rood en Wit).

Denmark has also named its squad for Harare: Morten Hedegaård (capt.) (Herning CC), Aftab Ahmed (Vice capt.) (Nørrebro CC), Lars Hedegård (Herning CC), Frederik Klokker (Kerteminde KC), Søren Klitgaard (Ålborg Chang), Andy Lambert (Skanerborg), Mohammed Siddque (wkt) (Svanholm CC), Jan Overgaard (Svanholm CC), Mickey Lund (Svanholm CC), Amjad Khan (KB), Martin Jensen (Svanholm CC), Carsten Pedersen (Herning CC), Mogens Dahl Nielsen (Nykøbing Mors CC), Thomas Hansen (Svanholm CC). Coach: Ole Mortensen