KARL JOHNSTON'S CRICKET COLUMN: The recently-published Irish Cricket Annual 2002 is a comprehensive production. This, the 13th edition, priced at €5, is brought out by the Irish Cricket Union (ICU). Three of the headlines on the cover are encouraging: "Women become Euro champions", "Youth Triple Triumph in Europe" and "The Australians in Belfast". The fourth reminds us of what might have been - "ICC Trophy 2001" - a reminder for new national coach, Adi Birrell, of the challenges which face him over the next three years.

Birrell's own contribution to the publication is therefore all the more interesting. He writes: "My knowledge of the Irish cricket system is rather limited. I have researched, read up as much as possible and have made contact with a number of South African cricketers who have played in the various leagues. Two young Irish players, Niall O'Brien and Andrew White, who attended the International Academy in Port Elizabeth, have been a great source of information."

Birrell goes on to write that there are many coaching philosophies and styles and stresses his belief that "a coach should adopt a style which is most suited to his personality. My style is one of support, encouragement and positive reinforcement," and he details the techniques he will use, which include biokinetics (training and testing), biomechanics (injury prevention) and nutrition and visualisation.

This is the first time the national coach has set out his stall in advance. Here's hoping he gets the backing and co-operation which he will undoubtedly need at all levels in the game.

Paddy O'Hara, one of Ireland's top umpires, who has retired after standing in 46 internationals, is another contributor to the annual and pulls no punches in regard to on-the-field behaviour. Pointing out that last year the umpires' association deliberately took a lenient approach to help the players get accustomed to the new laws which had been rewritten in 2000, O'Hara warns that "the settling-in period has elapsed. With regard to player behaviour, 'The Preamble - The Spirit of Cricket' will be implemented by the umpires in 2002."

In his annual report, ICU honorary secretary John Wright synopsises the events of 2001 and looks to the challenges ahead. Wright points out that the International Cricket Council (ICC) will launch a World League of the Associate Countries next year, a bi-annual competition.

"The 2003 World League is our next pressure situation," he writes. "Our prime objective has to be to return to Division One and high performance. There is an ICC commitment to help the leading associate countries with A-team tours, both at home and abroad."

Last week, in this column, Wright, commenting on Munster's omission from the new Inter-Regional Challenge competition, remarked that "all the work is left to the dedicated few" down south, a comment which provoked the following comments from Peter Dineen of Cork County:

"Finally, someone in the ICU has come clean, in relation to their view on the state of the game in the province, i.e. that it requires a radical change in Munster's playing strength before we can be restored to provincial level. That's all very well but what special attention are the ICU offering to change the situation?

"Does it make sense to isolate a perceived weak link if they want to develop the game in the broadest sense? If you look at the history of Test cricket it was some 30 years before New Zealand won a match at that level, yet they were encouraged and are now a force to be reckoned with.

"Many of us in Munster are dismayed by the narrow focus now being implemented by the ICU. We feel we have at least one club side that can compete in Dublin and that with the assistance of a professional our provincial team can also be competitive. The Munster sporting brand has never been stronger and the ICU need to tap into this and invest for the long term," he concludes.

Point taken. But only three years ago, not a single national selector turned up at the Mardyke to see Munster play Leinster in the decisive interpro match, for the result was regarded (rightly, as it happened) as a foregone conclusion. It's time for a change, and let's give the new Inter-Regional Challenge a chance.