CRICKET:The ICC have a reputation for creating international incidents from the flimsiest of raw material. One such case was averted before play began as the world governing body stumbled blinking into the murky world of Irish politics.

For 10 minutes the Tricolour blew in the Jamaican breeze alongside the official flag of Zimbabwe and the black, green and gold of the host country, Jamaica.

Then, panic in the ranks of the orange-clad ICC pr team, as it was explained that this was a team representing the whole island.

A serious young man was summoned to oversee its removal. Standing with hands on hips, he glared at the offending piece of material as it was lowered down the pole, carrying out his duties in the manner of a junior officer putting down a colonial uprising.

Never has the blue and green motif of the Irish Cricket Union been raised with such speed and apparent relief.

God knows what would have happened if they had to sing anthems.

It was a symbolic gesture in every sense, as the national flag could be seen covering many of the empty seats on all corners of the historic Sabina Park ground.

The green and orange competed for attention with a good few red faces and some questionable wardrobe choices.

The flag owners had made their way to Kingston in the morning, from their base in Ochos Rios, a resort on the north shore.

The thousand or so Irish visitors set off before dawn to get to the ground for the 9.30 start. The brochures had promised an hour's drive. The bowlers are not the only purveyors of spin on this island.

The record is currently held by the Ireland team, who's official bus broke the two-hour barrier using local knowledge and a police escort.

Given Ochos Rios is where the big Paddy's Day booze-up is scheduled for tomorrow, it's a record that won't last long.