FINDING the right balance in Kuala Lumpur to take Ireland to (the latter stages of the ICC Trophy could be seriously damaging the health of Mike Hendrick. Being a level headed character, the Ireland coach would ideally like to stick with the same team for reasons of confidence and continuity, but yesterday he helped select a different eleven for the fifth time in six matches.

Hendrick will hope swapping Uel Graham's medium pace for the sharper about less reliable seam of Ryan Eagleson turns out to be a lucky omen - the only time Ireland have named an unchanged side they were soundly thrashed by Kenya. Yet if Ireland should overcome Holland today in the first of three quarter final group matches, it's odds on the team will not be the same for tomorrow's clash with Banglades.

One variable in Hendrick's calculations are the matting pitched which vary from ground to ground. Another is the degree to which Ireland should show courage against the Dutch and attack their more fancied opponents. A quick pitch at Kelab Aman, where they will play two of their next three games, offers a different challenge to the surface at RSC which is slower and could suit Graham again.

And once the team has been matched to the playing conditions, Hendrick then has to decide on where to bat Andrew Patterson who has retained the wicketkeeping gloves ahead of Allan Rutherford. If Patterson bats like he did against Singapore on Sunday, and Decker Curry comes off as well, Ireland could have 80 on the board after 15 overs and half their work done.

But if he fails, was it worth upsetting a settled top five? Hendrick, who smoked two packs of cigarettes during last week's win, over the USA, is likely to keep a small tobacco farm in full production until the end of Friday's third game with Hong Kong.