This choice of match goes back to 1997 and a famous Irish victory against a star-studded Middlesex side at Clontarf.

It was Ireland's 476th game and Alan Lewis played a prominent role in the famous 46-run win. Lewis played 121 times, scoring 3579 runs at 28.63, which included four centuries and 20 fifties. He also was a famous international rugby referee.

Ireland V Middlesex 1997 - beating professional opposition for the first time in a competitive game!

Post the massive disappointment of not qualifying for the ICC World Cup in Malaysia in 1997 - cricket so quickly afterwards was probably just what we needed.

Of course we were assisted for this Benson & Hedges series by the inclusion of the late Hansie Cronje (a brilliant man) and a great tonic for the group.

Mike Gatting put us in on a cold April day from memory - one of those wickets which looked right to bowl on but I was inwardly delighted to accept their offer.

Decker went nuts early and quickly we were 120 odd for 1 off 23. Soon after the departure of Decker and Kyle McCallan I was joined by Cronje for his debut for Ireland. Third ball he was hit half way up the shin and as they say 'it was missing off and missing leg and hitting middle stump half way up - decision not out!

He simply giggled as we met at the end of the over. His attitude quickly turned then as he tested me with 'where from here do you think Lewie'. I said maybe tick along at 3 or 4 an over for the next 7 to which he replied no - I want 6 singles this over.

For the first time in my career I began to understand how important singles and where gaps were and not fielders are and the idea of putting yourself under pressure to get them. Following getting 6 between us that over we met in the middle (me somewhat relieved with the masters instruction) and he said I have seen more one day games lost in this phase. I will never forget that as I watch all ODI cricket today. Singles are your friend.

Cronje went on to get 94 not out and was joined by Andy Patterson who plundered at the end to give us a total I did really feel we could defend.

They were rusty and we were full of cricket. Cronje demanded two run outs for the innings. Whilst we didn't get those, the dibbly dobblies of Benson and Cronje were joined by the non-turning slow bowling of Greg Molins who shared the wickets as we bowled Middlesex out for 235. At last a professional team had been beaten.

The only sad part was the game was carried on to the next day due to weather which meant as true amateurs celebrations were kept to a minimum. It didn't curtail the enjoyment in the direct aftermath as not qualifying for the World Cup rankled but we only had ourselves to blame.

Perhaps my only regret as an international cricketer not having the chance to play in a World Cup. So envious!