Irish Cricket

[12call]

Ireland upset the odds again

LONDON: Ireland have turned the cricketing world on its head once more with a shock five-wicket victory over top English county Surrey in the second round of the one-day CG Trophy on Thursday.

The triumph follows last year’s ten-wicket win over Zimbabwe and batsman Jason Molins, who top scored in Ireland’s run chase with 58, believes the Irish amateurs have made their case for entry to the English one-day National League. “I think we are more than capable, as we proved here, and beating Surrey certainly won’t harm our credentials,” Molins said. “This win can only raise our profile and the third round game should attract lots of publicity.

“There are lots of things we compete against like football, rugby and Gaelic sports but the interest is there. “The wins against Zimbabwe and Surrey are great, but they won’t get us to the World Cup - that is the priority.” Molins insists he was always confident of victory after restricting Surrey to just 261 during a rain-affected first day. He added: “Both are great achievements considering we are amateur and they are both full-time. “There are eight internationals in their team - six English and two Pakistani. For us to come up against that level and get a result is amazing.” —AFP

[12call]

Ireland (262-5) beat Surrey (261) by five wickets.

Jason Molins, captain and top-scorer in a run chase, hopes that Ireland's surprise five-wicket victory over Surrey in their second-round match at Clontarf yesterday might persuade the authorities to include his side in the National League.

The win over Surrey is the latest in a run of impressive performances by Ireland, which included a 10-wicket win over Zimbabwe in Belfast last June.

Molins, who made 58, said: "It would be great to compete in the National League. I think we are more than capable, as we proved here, and beating Surrey certainly won't harm our credentials."

The triumph sets up a home tie against Northamptonshire and ranks among the greatest achievements in Irish cricket history. Besides beating Zimbabwe, they once famously bowled out Clive Lloyd's West Indies tourists for 25.

"This win can only raise our profile and the third round game should attract lots of publicity," Molins said. "The wins against Zimbabwe and Surrey are great, but they won't get us to the World Cup - that is the priority."

Molins insists he was always confident of victory after restricting Surrey to 261 during a rain-affected first day. He added: "Obviously for a side like ourselves to come up against a full-time side of professionals like Surrey and beat them as comprehensively as we did is massive.

"There are eight internationals in their team - six English and two Pakistani. For us to come up against that level and get a result is amazing."

Molins led the chase at just over a run a ball before Azhar Mahmood ended his 100-run first-wicket partnership with Jeremy Bray when he was on 58. Bray also went on to record his half-century before falling to Saqlain Mushtaq, and for a while it appeared Surrey were back in the game.

But Ireland were always in touch with the required run-rate of just over 5.5 an over and Gerald Dros smashed five boundaries, including a mammoth six, in his 45, while Andrew White and Kyle McCallan secured victory in the 49th over.

Meanwhile, Melvyn Betts and Paul Weekes broke Welsh hearts as Middlesex cruised to a 174-run victory against Wales at Lamphey.

The hosts never mustered a serious reply to Middlesex's 277 for six in their 50 overs on Wednesday and slumped to 103 all out in 41.1 overs. As it is, the Welsh theme continues for Middlesex with Glamorgan next up on May 29.

[12call]

Ireland want league place

Ireland captain Jason Molins hopes the upset C&G Trophy win over Surrey will boost his side's prospects for inclusion in England's one-day league.

Scotland are already members of the Totesport league but Ireland's admission is unlikely before 2006.

"I think we are more than capable and beating Surrey certainly won't harm our credentials," said Molins.

"This win can only raise our profile and the third round game should attract lots of publicity."

However, ECB director of cricket operations John Carr ruled out the prospect of a place before 2006.

"Scotland were admitted to the Totesport League in 2003 for a period of three years with a review after that," Carr told BBC Sport.

"We made it clear at the time that no other claims within that period would be considered.

"For 2006 the whole structure is in the process of review in terms of competition formats."

The wins against Zimbabwe and Surrey are great, but they won't get us to the World Cup

Jason Molins

After their second ever victory over county opposition, Molins stressed his side's sights are set on the international arena.

They were one match away from qualifying for the 1999 World Cup and defeated the Zimbabwe tourists in difficult batting conditions last year.

"There are lots of things we compete against like football, rugby and Gaelic sports but the interest is there," he added.

"The wins against Zimbabwe and Surrey are great, but they won't get us to the World Cup - that is the priority."

Surrey have won the County Championship three times in the last four years but Molins insisted he was always confident of victory after restricting them to 261 during a rain-affected first day.

"Obviously for a side like ourselves to come up against a full-time side of professionals like Surrey and beat them as comprehensively as we did is massive," he added.

"There are eight internationals in their team - six English and two Pakistani. For us to come up against that level and get a result is amazing."

Ireland face county opposition again when they host Northamptonshire in the third round of the competition.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/3691875.stm

[12call]

Ireland recorded their second victory over county opposition when they defeated one day specialists Surrey by 5 wickets at Castle Avenue in Clontarf.

This was a superb display by the Irish and credit must be given to all the players and coach Adrian Birrell. Their bowling was disciplined, conceding just 4 wides, and was backed up by a fantastic fielding display, which included some memorable catches.

Surrey had batted on Wednesday and scored 261 on a day which was punctuated by frequent showers. Former England one-day batsman Ally Brown had threatened to smash Ireland out of the competition as he took a distinct liking to Ryan Eagleson , striking him for 16 in one over. Trent Johnston had an impressive debut and claimed his first wicket for Ireland when he had Batty caught behind for 8.

Mark Ramprakash joined Brown at the crease and the pair looked assured as they scored freely. Kyle McCallan got a vital breakthrough when he brilliantly caught and bowled Ramprakash for 34 with the score on 97. Brown had slowed his scoring rate only slightly and with him at the crease Surrey looked destined for a total of over 300. However with the total on 145 Brown attempted one big hit too many and was well caught by Morgan off Dros. Brown’s 67 had taken just 49 balls and contained 6 fours and 4 sixes. Adam Hollioake looked in particular fine form and treated the large crowd to a fine display of stroke play. The game took a decisive turn when Surrey lost both Hollioake and Benning with the score on 194. Bushe stumped Hollioake off McCallan to depart for 52, and just two balls later Benning was well caught by Johnston for 27 off White. Azhar Mahmood fell to White for 13, and he picked up his 3rd wicket when he caught and bowled Ian Salisbury. Andre Botha as usual was exemplary bowling at the death and he captured the wickets of Shahid, Saqlain Mushtaq, and Martin Bicknell as Surrey were bowled out for 261.

Not many Irish supporters would have dreamt that a win was on the cards as they would be facing a Surrey attack which contained six Test bowlers. However skipper Jason Molins along with Jeremy Bray got the Irish off to a flying start playing positively. Molins was in particularly belligerent form - he greeted Azhar Mahmood into the attack by striking the Pakistan Test star for 3 boundaries. The vital stage of the game was the introduction of Saqlain Musttaq – how would the Irish be able to cope with the Test legend. The answer was fairly competently as they were content to pick up their singles and do the bulk of the scoring at the other end. Molins reached a well deserved 50 off just 46 balls and this contained 7 memorable fours. Mahmood, who had been treated with such disdain by Molins, got his revenge when he switched his line of attack to round the wicket. The change of angle worked and Molins was bowled for 58 with the score on 103 in the 21st over.

This opening partnership equalled Ireland’s record for the C & G held by McCallan and Carson. Andre Botha should have went in the next over when he charged Saqlain, attempting to hit him over the top, but only succeeded in hitting a swirling catch to cover which was put down. Jeremy Bray was content to play the anchor role at the other end, and the left hander did his job admirably. Ian Salisbury was brought into the attack and after struggling to find his line finally did so when a quicker ball trapped Botha on the back foot and he was palpably lbw for 17. Bray finally went shortly after when in Saqlain’s final over, he played all round one to go for 52, which came off 92 balls and contained 4 boundaries. The 4th wicket pair of Gerald Dros and Peter Gillespie then ensured that the momentum which had been achieved throughout the innings continued. The pair stroked the ball effortlessly and the Surrey fielders got very quiet as Ireland marched towards their total. Dros struck Hollioake for one memorable six as the bowler went for 18 in only two overs.

With victory in sight, Ireland had a minor wobble. Dros when he had reached 45, pulled a short ball from Bicknell and Ally Brown completed a wonderful running catch at deep square in front of the pavilion. Just 2 runs later Mahmood trapped Gillespie lbw for 28 to leave Ireland on 223 for 5, needing a further 39 off just less than 8 overs.

The NCU pair of Kyle McCallan and Andrew White ensured there was to be no further loss of wickets as they guided Ireland home in the tense situation, to spark off scenes of great celebration. In the end Ireland had 10 balls to spare, as White scored 20 and McCallan 18. It could have been different as White was dropped with 14 still needed but then struck 10 straight after. A great win for the Irish, and a day to remember for all present. Andy White received the Man of the Match award, just pipping Molins and McCallan.

Jason Molins was delighted with the win but his thoughts were on bigger things. “The wins against Zimbabwe and Surrey are great, but they won’t get us to the World Cup, which is our priority. To beat a side containing 8 internationals, including a bowling attack of 6 Test players is a great achievement. I’ve always advocated Ireland’s inclusion in the National League, and hopefully this win will bring that a bit closer.”

Surrey coach Steve Rixon was in reflective mood after the defeat but admitted that Ireland had done exceptionally well. “We were outplayed in most areas of the game. Ireland probably played as well as they can while we didn’t bowl a consistent line.”

Ireland will now play Northants in the next round on Saturday May 29.

http://www.cricketeurope.org/SCRIPTDATA/cs...05/000556.shtml

[Pink Mist]

irish cricket, irish intelligence.

Now there is your classic oxymoron. (12carr that's a contradiction in two words)

They beat one mediocre pommie county side, we all know the pommie cricket standard over the last decade and now the spud bashers want to take the world on.

Next thing they will want to play Australia, 555,yeah right

Maybe they could take Zimbabwe "C" grade side on, with robbie mugabe as spin bowler chucking like that cheat moorilie.

[ringer]

To be honest I never knew that the Irish played Cricket, or any other sport for that matter, you never see any headlines like " Ireland world champions at ??".

The one thing I heard they can play is "pass the parcel in the pub"

[12call]

Ireland pull off famous win

Tour match, Belfast: Ireland 183-0 (33.4 overs) beat Zimbabwe 182 (49.5 overs) by 10 wickets

Full scorecard

Captain Jason Molins was the toast of Irish cricket as his unbeaten century saw them to their biggest win for 34 years.

Molins hit an unbeaten 107 and Jonathan Bray made 67 not out as they thrashed a Zimbabwe side short of experience and confidence with over 16 overs to spare.

It was Ireland's greatest achievement since beating West Indies by nine wickets in 1969.

And they seized the initiative from the outset as Molins won the toss, put the tourists in and then saw his new ball pairing of John Mooney and Gary Neely reduce them to 12-3.

Doug Marillier and Richard Sims both went for ducks and Charles Coventry managed only four.

But Zimbabwe were saved from total collapse by Dion Ebrahim and Stuart Matsikenyeri, who put on 96 for the fourth wicket.

They were forced to play with a measure of caution, however, by tight bowling and when Matsikenyeri was stumped for 50 off spinner Andrew White for 50, it heralded another mini-collapse.

We don't play against the likes of Zimbabwe every week

Jason Molins

More Ireland reaction

Ebrahim followed for 52 when he was bowled by Kyle McCallan and they could ill afford the run out of Sean Ervine for nought.

Captain Tatenda Taibu did his best to revive his side with 35 and he was ninth out before Neely brought the innings to a close with the wicket of Waddington Mwayenga to finish with 3-30.

Molins, from Dublin, and Bray set a healthy tempo from the start of Ireland's reply as Mwayenga conceded 22 from four overs with the new ball.

Marillier and Travis Friend also proved expensive, with only Gary Brent, who bowled seven overs for 28 able to exter any control.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/en...003/2986846.stm

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[12call]

Opportunity knocks for Bushe.

WARINGSTOWN'S Jonathan Bushe has the Pakistan Cricket Board to thank for his place in the Ireland team to meet County champions Surrey in the C & G Trophy game at Clontarf next Wednesday.

Test wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal was the man who coach Adrian Birrell and the selectors had their eye on as the second eligible player.

He was due to take up a professional contract with Limavady but that was all knocked on the head by the Pakistan Cricket Board who vetoed his move in few of his country's commitments.

Bushe, of course, is no stranger to the international scene, having played five games last season as cover for Niall O'Brien who is now with Kent.

Young Bushe is a fine prospect and won't let the side down.

Ireland have opted to use only one overseas player and that is former Cliftonville professional Gerard Dros who is now back in his native South Africa.

But he will fly in for the match against a side that has started the county season poorly but boosts players of the calibre of Graeme Thorpe, Mark Butcher and Saqlain Mushtag.

Dros hit 124 when Ireland ran up 387-4 in this competition last year and is a close friend of Birrell.

The coach was always keen to have Dros in the side and he comes with plenty of action under his belt as the South African season is coming to a close.

All eyes will be on debutant Aussie Trent Johnston who has returned to perform at the Clontarf club after a previous spell with Leinster.

Johnston is a useful batsman but it is his pace bowling that he is here for and the one area where Ireland, with Adrian McCoubrey now at Esses, are weak.

Paul Mooney, although struggling with fitness anyway, makes way for the Australian whose opening attack partner will be Carrick's Ryan Eagleson.

Despite Surrey's lack-lustre start, they should prove much too strong for Ireland whose focus this summer will be on the Inter-Continental Cup and European championships.

The latter will be indicative of Ireland's hopes of being one of the five countries to qualify from the 2005 ICC Trophy for the 2007 World Cup finals in the West Indies.

And it was in relation to the ICC Trophy that the world's two lead-ing administrations, the president of the International Cricket Council, Ehsan Mani of Pakistan, and the chief executive, Malcolm Speed of Australian, were in Belfast this week to announce that the 2005 matches featuring 12 nations will be staged in both the north and south.

Normally such games are played in the one area but the Irish Cricket Union have persuaded the governing body that the best way to proceed is to play the first phase in Northern Ireland and the final phase in Dublin.

The exact format will be decided at Lord's on June 29.

Ireland team to face Surrey: Jason Molins (captain, Phoenix), Andre Botha (North County), Jeremy Bray (Phoenix CC), Jonathan Bushe (Waringstown), Gerald Dros (overseas), Ryan Eagleson (Carrick), Peter Gillespie (Strabane), Kyle McCallan (Cliftonville), Eoin Morgan (North County), Trent Johnson (Clontarf), Andrew White (Instonians), John Mooney (North County).

The match starts at 10.45am and is a maximum of 50 overs per side.

Tickets will be available to purchase at the gate from 9am (15 euro for adults and five for concessions).

[12call]

Irish boys must shine this summer.

THIS is a season when Irish cricket has an opportunity to prove how far it has progressed in recent years.

Our international season gets underway on May 5 when we take on Surrey in a C&G knock-out tournament at Clontarf in Dublin. This is one of a number of chances Ireland has to elevate its position in World cricket.

Surrey are one of the strongest Counties in England and a win against them would certainly be noticed in the cricket world.

An even greater opportunity will be two one day internationals against the West Indies who will be captained by the new record holder, Brian Lara. These two matches will be played at the Civil Service ground in Belfast on June 16 and 17 and are games not to be missed.

The squad will be desperate to repeat the result against the last Test team to appear at Civil Service, Zimbabwe, who we beat by 10 wickets.

After a very successful season in 2003 for the Irish team there is plenty of competition for places in 2004.

Selection will be based on last season's form as well as the inter-regional competition which commences mid-May.

Good performances by Jason Molins, Andre Botha, Jeremy Bray, Andrew White, Kyle McCallan, Paul Mooney and Peter Gillespie should ensure selection for the first matches. The selectors will be watching the progress of Dom Joyce, Eoin Morgan, John Mooney, Ryan Eagleson, Jonathan Bushe, Gary Neeley and others to fill the remaining places.

Two new players will be available for Ireland this summer, Nazeer Shaucat and Trent Johnson both gaining Irish citizenship, which should make competition for places even keener.

Others such as Ed Joyce, Niall O'Brien and Adrian McCoubrey are making their mark in the English county circuit and will not be available for many matches.

Other notable competitions are the 3-day Inter-continental Cup (where Ireland will take on Scotland and Holland) and the European Championships.

The 2004 season will give players the opportunity to solidify their places for the all important 2005 ICC Trophy scheduled to be held in Ireland. Here 12 associate teams will play for five places in the 2007 World Cup.

It is vital that these types of matches come to Ireland as the interest in cricket is growing across the island. The continued success of the national side will assist this trend no end.

Consequently cricket is becoming a sport which is attractive to potential sponsors, advertisers and sports fans and the Irish Cricket Union is keen to develop these opportunities further and would like to hear from anyone who is interested in entering sports sponsorship.

[ringer]

the next game for the patties under 12's combined side from south rockhamton.

The south rocky side tipped to win, part of the game is a spelling and IQ test.

dream on 12 wall

[12call]

Surrey crash to humiliating defeat against Ireland

Ireland 262 for 5 (Molins 58, Bray 52) beat Surrey 261 (Brown 67, White 3-43) by five wickets

Scorecard

Surrey's abysmal start to the season has continued - today they were embarrassingly bundled out of the C&G Trophy by Ireland in Dublin. After setting a total of 261 on a rain-truncated first day, and despite fielding an attack consisting of six Test bowlers, Surrey's challenge was brushed aside, and Ireland won with a full ten balls and five wickets in hand.

On current form, however, it was not that much of an upset. Surrey are in disarray after a winter of upheaval, while Ireland are now unbeaten in their last ten matches. Mind you, they have only once before beaten a county side in a competitive game – Surrey's arch-rivals Middlesex, who lost at the same venue in 1997, again over two days.

Ireland's batsmen made contributions all down the order, to complement their consummately professional performance in the field on Wednesday. They were given the perfect start by Jeremy Bray and their captain, Jason Molins, who both scored half-centuries in an opening stand of 103. Molins was particularly fluent in his pursuit of victory, cracking seven fours in a 57-ball 58, before being bowled by Azhar Mahmood.

Ireland's South African import, Andre Botha, kept up the momentum with a 22-ball 17, but the writing was already on the wall for Surrey. That much was apparent from the amount of extras they were conceding. The final tally was 24, including 15 wides and six no-balls. Ireland, for their part, sent down just four wides in the entire Surrey innings.

Mahmood and Martin Bicknell briefly revived Surrey's hopes, when they dismissed Gerald Dros and Peter Gillespie in the space of two runs (223 for 5). But Andrew White and Kyle McCallan sprinted to the finish, rattling off the remaining 39 runs in just six overs.

It was just deserts for Ireland, whose spirited efforts in the field on Wednesday had set up the victory chance. At 39 for 0 after five overs of the match, Surrey had been scenting a clean kill, with Ally Brown in especially belligerent form. But the 17-year-old Eion Morgan took a fine catch on the long-on boundary to dismiss Brown for 67, and the innings subsided, with Botha and White both picking up three wickets.

[12call]

Following Ireland’s victory over Surrey in the 2nd round of the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy they will now play Northamptonshire in the third round.

At a meeting of the Irish Cricket Union’s Emergency Committee a unanimous decision was reached to play the fixture at Clontarf CC, Castle Avenue, Dublin.

Following a request by Northamptonshire to the England & Wales Cricket Board the match will now take place on Sunday 30th May with the reserve day of Monday 31st May. The match will start at 10.45am.

[12call]

Cricket: Irish cricket hits new high.

IRELAND arrived on the cricket scene big time in Dublin yesterday with a shock win over County Champions Surrey in the C & G Trophy second round.

It is a first for the Irish at this level in 22 attempts and in its proper context, is the best result in Irish cricketing history.

Coach Adrian Birrell was confident that his side could pull of a shock win and they did just that with five wickets and 10 balls to spare.

This victory surpasses the 25-run defeat of the West Indies back in 1969 at Sion Mills and last year's triumph over Zimbabwe.

Claiming the scalp of an English County side, never mind the champions, in real competitive cricket, is a signal that the Irish game is going places.

That makes 10 wins in a row under Birrell and with the ICC Trophy here in 2005, surely hopes of qualification for the World Cup in 2007, have risen considerably.

With the influx of overseas naturalised Irish players and South African pro Gerard Dros who of course is a former Cliftonville player, there is no shortage of batting talent as was proved yesterday.

But the number one star was none other than skipper and opener Jason Molins -Irish through and through -who set about chasing Ireland's 261 overnight target with relish.

He scored at just over a run a ball before Azhar Mahmood ended a 100-run first-wicket partnership with Jeremy Bray with Molins on 58.

Bray also went on to record his half century, before falling victim to Saqlain Mushtaq, and for a while it appeared Surrey had steadied the ship.

But Ireland were always in touch with the required run-rate of just over 5.5 per over and Dros smashed five boundaries, including a mammoth six, before Martin Bicknell forced him to hole out to Alistair Brown on 45.

Andre Botha and Peter Gillespie offered resistance with the bat before falling for 17 and 28 respectively, leaving Andrew White and Kyle McCallan, the previous day's bowling heroes as they limited Surrey to only 43 runs in their last 10 overs, victory in the 49th over.

One-day specialists Surrey who will regret leaving behind England stars Mark Butcher and Graham Thorpe for this match, toiled after losing the toss during a first day peppered with rain breaks.

Brown's quick-fire 67 was the best they could muster while Adam Hollioake was dismissed just moments after securing his half-century.

White's off-breaks caused Surrey's middle order problems, his figures of three for 43 included the wickets of James Benning, Ian Salisbury and Pakistan international Azhar Mahmood.

South African Botha was the other major threat with the ball, claiming the wickets of Nadeem Salid, Bicknell and Saqlain Mushtaq as Surrey were restricted to a target Ireland coach Birrell was always confident of attaining.

Overnight: Surrey 261 (A Brown 67, A Hollioake 52). Ireland 260 for 5 (48 overs; J Molins 58, J Bray 52, G Dros 45). Ireland won by five wickets.

[Pink Mist]

maybe a report on the schoolyard marbles competion would be more interesting,

10th grade cricket from 3rd world country doesn't cut the mustard 11carr.

[12call]

So Blonco,how many 1st Class games have u played then???

[Pink Mist]

So Blonco,how many 1st Class games have u played then???

The last time I looked at the rules it didnt say you needed to play 1st class cricket to be a spectator.

By the way pasty what's the difference between a 12 call and a computer?

you only have to punch information into a computer once

[the gentleman]

So Blonco,how many 1st Class games have u played then???

well Bronco is actually Steve Waugh - he has won quite a few

[the gentleman]

Did love the thread - Irish playing cricket to be sure

[12call]

The Ireland team scored a great victory over Surrey at Clontarf last week and to many it was the biggest upset in the competition and ranks as one of Ireland’s greatest wins in its history.

When the draw was announced it would have looked like a win for Surrey but the Irish team faced the county side on Wednesday coming off the back of 9 wins in 2003 and the desire to extend it to 10. Also the team was highly motivated to compete against a side packed full of International players, 8 in total. This assisted the pre-match build up as the focus was already there.

Once we won the toss and elected to field the match plan for bowling was to keep our discipline and not gift Surrey runs through extras, and allow Surrey to get away from us. As expected our bowlers came under immediate pressure from the aggressive Ali Brown who made 67 off only 49 balls. He was supported by a solid Mark Ramprakash who made 34 and an attacking 52 by Adam Hollioake. However, we kept to the task and fought back with economical bowling and excellent fielding. The plan was to be mobile and cut off the singles and prevent the second run.

With the assistance from the several rain breaks and the fact that Surrey were not allowed to finish well we were more than happy with bowling them out for 261, and the fact that we had bowled with discipline and only conceded 4 wides.

The fact we had to come back on the Thursday to start the run chase was a boost as we had time to plan our attack. It was essential we got off to a good start and this we achieved with Jason Molins and Jeremy Bray laying the perfect platform with a century stand, both making half centuries. From then we were to chase down the Surrey total by going at the required rate and we did just that with singles keeping the scoreboard moving and then hitting the loose deliveries for boundaries.

This was a wonderful achievement for these amateur cricketers to have beaten a high profile professional side by five wickets. They also faced two Pakistan internationals and only playing one professional themselves. It was an opportunity we had looked forward to and one which we grabbed with both hands.

[12call]

In an effort to ensure full support for the Irish team in the next round of the C&G Trophy against Northamptonshire at Castle Avenue, Clontarf on Sunday May 30th, the Leinster Cricket Union has announced that it has postponed ALL DOMESTIC FIXTURES for the day, including Youth and

Women's fixtures.

The date had been set aside for the 1st round of the Leinster Senior Cup but most of those games will now be played on Saturday 29th. Inter Regional Challenge games for that Saturday have been also been posponed.

The President of the Leinster Cricket Union, John Pryor, said that although this will cause re-fixture problems further down the road the LCU felt it really should do all it could to support the Irish team and

also to help the ICU in raising the profile of the game.

[irelandais]

So Blonco,how many 1st Class games have u played then???

Are you saying Ireland is a third world country where u from mate ever been here Irelands far from being a third world country, Dublin and now Belfast are becoming some of the most vibrant forward moving Capitals in Europe. Now if we are talking third world whats Thailand???

As for sport I think the Irish are hard to beat for their profound knowledge of producing and competing with their second to none home bred horses. Who cares about cricket some you win some you loose but keep watching we,ll soon be bowling you all over!!!!!!

[12call]

So Blonco,how many 1st Class games have u played then???

Are you saying Ireland is a third world country where u from mate ever been here Irelands far from being a third world country, Dublin and now Belfast are becoming some of the most vibrant forward moving Capitals in Europe. Now if we are talking third world whats Thailand???

As for sport I think the Irish are hard to beat for their profound knowledge of producing and competing with their second to none home bred horses. Who cares about cricket some you win some you loose but keep watching we,ll soon be bowling you all over!!!!!!

Who are u directing that question 2 Paddy France ???

[12call]

Ireland will be aiming to claim another big scalp when they take on Northamptonshire in the third round of the C&G Trophy at Clontarf on Sunday.

Following their five-wicket win over Surrey, there is a growing feeling in the Irish camp they can progress again.

"There is an air of confidence. We have won 10 on the bounce now," said Ireland all-rounder Kyle McCallan.

"We have got rid of that fear of failure there had been in the past. There is a real sense of belief."

The Surrey success was only Ireland's second victory in the C&G Trophy.

"Nobody gave us a chance in that match really but we believed in ourselves and went out and did a good job," said Andrew White who hit the winning runs.

"Northants are going to be difficult as well, they are another full-time professional side.

"But we are hoping to give our faithful Irish suporters something to cheer about.

"I am glad it is at Clontarf, the ground has been really good to us. We are all used to the atmosphere down there and want to give it a good shot."

Ireland: Jason Molins (Phoenix) cpt, Jeremy Bray (Phoenix), Andre Botha, (North County), Gerald Dros (overseas); Peter Gillespie (Strabane), Andrew White (Instonians), Kyle McCallan, (Cliftonville), Eoin Morgan (North County), Trent Johnston (Clontarf), Paul Mooney (North County), Jonathan Bushe (Waringstown), John Mooney (North County).

[davethailand]

So Blonco,how many 1st Class games have u played then???

Are you saying Ireland is a third world country where u from mate ever been here Irelands far from being a third world country, Dublin and now Belfast are becoming some of the most vibrant forward moving Capitals in Europe. Now if we are talking third world whats Thailand???

As for sport I think the Irish are hard to beat for their profound knowledge of producing and competing with their second to none home bred horses. Who cares about cricket some you win some you loose but keep watching we,ll soon be bowling you all over!!!!!!

urrr i think ist class cricket means proffessional

[irelandais]

the next game for the patties under 12's combined side from south rockhamton.

The south rocky side tipped to win, part of the game is a spelling and IQ test.

dream on 12 wall

Whats Patties, meat pies??????

[irelandais]

maybe a report on the schoolyard marbles competion would be more interesting,

10th grade cricket from 3rd world country doesn't cut the mustard 11carr.

I take it you mean Ireland is a third world country? Oh perhaps you mean Angleterre??????

[12call]

The Irish sporting community has urged Ireland on to another famous victory when they face Northamptonshire in the 3rd Round of the C&G Trophy at Clontarf CC on Sunday, May 30th.

Leinster rugby star Girvan Dempsey, whose try helped Ireland seal a famous 19-13 victory over World Champions England in Twickenham in March, has backed Ireland to overcome the odds once more when they face Northamptonshire on Sunday:

“It’s pretty clear that there’s a real feel-good factor around cricket at the moment in Ireland after their hugely impressive win over Surrey in the last round.

I think that Ireland will take a lot of encouragement from their last win. I saw some of the highlights on TV and it was pretty clear how committed, passionate and skilled the guys were in winning that game.

Ireland have to believe in themselves and to believe in the fact that they have the capability to win the game. That’s something that Eddie (O’Sullivan) instilled in us in the week coming up to the game.

Going out on the field that day, we had the confidence in ourselves that we could do it. No-one gave us a chance. We were complete underdogs, as Ireland will be again this weekend.

There’ll be sticky points in the match where things don’t go your way as was the case back in Twickenham. It’s important to look deep within yourself as we did. That’s when individual moments of brilliance – such as Peter Stringer’s tap tackle, Malcolm O’Kelly’s huge hit in the corner and Gordon D’Arcy’s on Ben Cohen – that count for so much.

For the cricket team, there’ll be times when things aren’t going your way and you’ll need to have that determination to stop the opposition runs.

It’s pretty clear how strong the potential is in the cricket squad and I’d like to wish the squad and management the very best of luck.”

Tyrone Manager Mickey Harte – who led his side to All-Ireland success over Armagh in 2003 - believes that anything can happen when David meets Goliath:

“I suppose when Ireland play Northamptonshire it will be a case of David meeting Goliath once again. But in saying that, sport is a great leveler.

I’d encourage the lads to embrace the challenge. Opportunities like this don’t happen all that often. Though I wouldn’t have played cricket growing up, boundaries mean absolutely nothing in this great little land of ours.

There’s a great bond between sportsmen and women in Ireland and any team that represents Ireland deserves recognition. We’re all from the same small piece of land.

When you cross that white line everyone is the same and being an underdog is a great position to be in. I wish all the lads well.”

Ex-Republic of Ireland & Glasgow Celtic full back Chris Morris – who played in Ireland’s 1-0 win over England in Euro ’88 - has urged Ireland to dig deep once more against Northamptonshire:

“When you play in intense derbies – be it the Old Firm or when we played Northern Ireland in Windsor Park – you have to dig deep and believe in yourself.

I actually played a bit of cricket in my younger days for Cornish Schools. We managed to beat Northamptonshire and I scored 30-odd!

The win over England in Stuttgart was memorable for so many reasons. But that’s the funny thing when you play for Ireland in any sport – you know that you’re up against it and so do the opposition.

We used to love the underdog tag and for a time we reveled in it. That was until we began achieving sustained success over a longer period and expectation rose accordingly.

I’d urge the guys to play with the same will to win, pride and passion that took them past Surrey in the last round.

Irish people have an indomitable spirit which is what sport is all about. I’d like to wish all the guys the very best of luck on Sunday.”

Dougie Goodwin – who captained Ireland to their famous win over the West Indies in Sion Mills in 1969 – sees no reason why the current crop of Irish stars can’t overcome the odds once more on Sunday:

“For me, the victory over Surrey was an even greater achievement than our win over the West Indies. To put that game into context, they arrived over in Ireland having just finished a test match in England.

The conditions were unknown to them and anything that could have gone right for us did that day. For me, though, that achievement as good as it was doesn’t compete with beating a County side of the caliber of Surrey who boasted practically a team of internationals.

Adrian Birrell deserves great credit for bringing that sense of youth and experience together with a strong will to win.

It was a superb achievement in beating Surrey in the last round. There’s no doubting the fact that they’ll be up against it again on Sunday, but I see no reason as to why they can’t overcome the odds once more.

I’m hoping to make it to the game. I hope that the lads will go out and do the business again and I’d like to wish them the very best of luck.”

[12call]

Ireland have far more than luck on their side

Northants (267-4) beat Ireland (263) by six wkts

Ireland proved that there was little luck attached to their victory over Surrey three weeks ago when they competed fiercely for the bulk of the game before Northants surged to a six-wicket win completed at 8.47pm.

If the primary task was to convince a wider world of their growing credibility as a cricketing power, Ireland passed the test superbly. They also showed a commendable determination to complete the match yesterday, even if it meant bowling and fielding in horribly damp conditions.

After the day's fourth extended rain delay, Northants set off at 7.25pm needing 156 off 27 overs with eight wickets standing.

The issue was effectively settled by five crunching sixes from Martin van Jaarsveld and David Sales in a fourth-wicket stand of 91 in 76 balls. Almost eight overs were left when van Jaarsveld, unbeaten on 93 off 85 balls, made the winning hit to give Northants an away tie with Warwickshire in the quarter-finals.

Ireland have been told they will not be considered for admission to the Tote Sport League until the three-year experiment with Scotland ends next season.

Yet there are bounties on the horizon. As hosts for the ICC Trophy next year they have an excellent chance of claiming one of five available places in the 2007 World Cup.

Ireland were determined to recreate the mood of their remarkable victory over Surrey by staging yesterday's match at the tree-lined Clontarf ground in one of Dublin's more desirable suburbs.

They successfully chased down Surrey's total of 261 on the reserve day and showed similar one-day nous yesterday in first rebuilding from 37 for three, then moving through the gears to post a highly respectable total of 263 for eight.

The stop-start handicap was not all Ireland's as Northamptonshire's bowlers, particularly spinners Jason Brown and Graeme Swann, had to contend with a greasy ball in the middle of the innings.

Steffan Jones, back in demand after moving from Somerset at the end of last season, stood between Ireland and an even more imposing total. He was not particularly economical, but struck in each of his opening two overs, and twice in both his seventh and final overs to finish with six for 56, his best one-day figures.

Opener Jason Molins was well forward when given leg before against Jones, Andre Botha sliced to third man and Ireland's overseas player, Gerald Dros, edged his fellow South African, Johann Louw.

Fellow opener Jeremy Bray, an assertive Australian left-hander who took up residence in the late 1990s, and Peter Gillespie had brought some stability to the innings when the first stoppage occurred.

They added 115, Ireland's best for any wicket against a county, both finding the gaps expertly, before Bray was run out for 76, off 109 balls, when he and Gillespie found themselves at the same end.

Bray hit eight fours and a six and Gillespie shrugged off any feeling of guilt to hit effortless sixes over long-on in successive overs before being fifth out.

The third interruption, at 207 for six, was followed by a telling assault by Andrew White and Kyle McCallan to add 56 priceless runs in the last five overs. White, improvising expertly, made an exhilarating 44 off 35 balls.

Eoin Morgan, who as a 16-year-old became Ireland's youngest player last year, clipped the penultimate ball of the innings over square-leg for six to give Ireland a sporting chance of victory.

[Up2U]

So, what did that thread have to do with anything?

With Thailand?

[12call]

If you don't like it then REPORT it.

Simple.