Ireland set to play more big games in 2010
Ger Siggins, Sunday Tribune
THE prospect of more games against full member nations is in store for Ireland, according to CricketIreland chief executive Warren Deutrom. While the prospect of Ireland joining the full tours programme is remote, 'the full members are aware that the leading associates need more meaningful games', said Deutrom, who was re-elected to the ICC chief executives' committee. 'That gives me a chance to engage with the full members and gives Ireland a place at the table, which is important.'
Australia are already set to play here next summer, and Deutrom expects to announce two or three other top-rank visitors over the next month.
The thorny issue of Zimbabwe is also still in Deutrom's in-tray, but the body has passed onto ICC the Irish government's stance on hosting and visiting the African pariah state. With Zimbabwe also due to play Scotland and Holland in the Intercontinental Cup it is expected that neutral venues will be arranged.
ICC had expected Zimbabwe to field its full team in the games, but the Africans have entered what they call an ‘A' team. 'But then, can anyone tell me what the Zimbabwean test team would look like after four years in the wilderness?', asked Deutrom.
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JUST about here this column is taking a veer into the territory of the arts pages as we cover the world of music, books and television.
The music is provided by the glorious Duckworth-Lewis Method, the band comprising two Irish popsters of note in Neil Hannon and Thomas Walsh. The pair is interviewed at length on page 25 of the arts section in T2, but they also revealed to me that they had received communication from the cricket statisticians that gave them their name. 'Frank Duckworth sent me a lovely email,' said Walsh, 'he said he was delighted that we used their names and they considered it a great honour.'
Readers of Inside Edge will know that their album, out this weekend, is inspired by cricket. The pair were invited to dinner with the likes of Mike Atherton and CMJ recently and Walsh was delighted to find that Atherton agrees with him that England will win 2-1. Hannon is a bit more worried about the home team's chances: "England have more depth and experience, but they'll win only if they don't bottle it. Australia are not as strong but are the best match-playing team in the world. They never settle for a draw."
The Duckworth-Lewis Method's record company, 1969 Records, have offered two copies of the new album, The Age of Revolution, for the first two readers to email me (gsiggins@tribune.ie) with the answer to this question – For how many runs was Mike Gatting dismissed by Shane Warne's ‘Ball of the Century'? There is a clue in DLM's ‘Jiggery Pokery', but not a very good one.
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IF YOU'RE looking forward to the Ashes, fancy showing off your knowledge, and want to help one of the local clubs' fund-raising drives then check out www.railwayunioncc.com and click on Ashes 2009, or email trentjohnston74@ gmail.com for details.
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ITS 40 years since The Hills CC found its permanent home in Milverton. As Barry Rafferty writes in an article in a new publication, 'What did those few visionaries see in their mind's eye as they clambered across the gate of the Vineyard for the first time? In front of them was a visibly corrugated cabbage patch!'
That cabbage patch was ironed out, as were many other problems on the road to the Vineyard becoming one of Ireland's finest cricket grounds and clubs. The stirring story is told in Forty Years a Growing, which was compiled by Malachy Gavin and relies heavily on ‘the history men', Joe and Seamus Clinton. Packed with photos, it also acknowledges the debt the club owes with some moving tributes to those members who have passed on.
As a memoir of the Byrne/ Dwyer/Clinton/Archer/Harper era – those five families have won 26 medals on The Hills' four Leinster Senior Cup winning teams – this is a valuable brochure. One hopes a full scale history is planned for the half-century. Contact michaeljgavin @eircom.net for further details.
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AND finally, as they say on all the best news programmes... Stand by for some chuckles up Skerries way soon when RTE begin their Autumn season. D'Unbelieveables comedian Pat Shortt has a new series Mattie, based in a Limerick garda station. The hero is a hapless cop called Matt Dwyer. That should raise the roof in The Hills pavilion.
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TODAY: ICC InterContinental Cup (day 3 of 4): Ireland v Kenya, Eglinton
TUESDAY: Alan Murray 4FM 20/20 Cup: Phoenix v Old Belvedere, Malahide v The Hills
THURSDAY: RSA Challenge ODI Series, Ireland v Kenya, 10.45am Clontarf, Alan Murray 4FM 20/20 Cup: Pembroke v Railway Union
SATURDAY: RSA Challenge ODI Series, Ireland v Kenya, 10.45am Clontarf, Senior League Section A: Merrion v Leinster, Pembroke v The Hills, Section B: Phoenix v YMCA
SUNDAY: RSA Challenge ODI Series, Ireland v Kenya, 10.45am Clontarf
gsiggins@tribune.ie