CRICKET/Ireland v Somerset: Ireland's season in the C&G Trophy ends tomorrow with a match against Somerset at Stormont (10.45 start) that on the face of it holds little for either side. With the Irish propping up the southern section of the competition with one win from eight games and Somerset not faring much better, pride is all that is left to play for.
However, for Adrian Birrell's Ireland side that is quite an incentive. Despite beating Gloucestershire away in their second game, the subsequent defeats will have cemented Ireland's position as whipping boys in the eyes of the England and Wales Cricket Board. Ireland's reputation at ECB level is probably lower now than it was in April.
A win tomorrow would finish the season well for Ireland and at least present the argument they deserve their place in the tournament, a place that is only secure for the next two seasons. They will have gained confidence from the performance they put in against England at Stormont last week, and if key players such as Jeremy Bray, Andre Botha and Trent Johnston perform, a win is not out of the question.
After a protracted spell of not scoring enough runs, Dominick Joyce has been left out in favour of the as-yet-unproven talents of Rush opening batsman William Porterfield.
With overseas player Saqlain Mushtaq departed, the last place in the 12-man squad is filled by young wicketkeeper/batsman Gary Wilson, who will more than likely be the one to lose out.
What is unfortunate for Joyce is this game will mark the end of the really tough part of the season. With European Championships and an InterContinental Cup match coming up in August, the bowling he would be expected to deal with there would be nothing of the quality of the likes of Steve Harmison, Simon Jones or Jon Lewis he has been up against so far in 2006. With Joyce, Jason Molins, Conor Armstrong and others waiting in the wings, Porterfield will know this is his big chance to book a place to the West Indies for next year's World Cup.
In the absence of injured captain Ian Blackwell, Somerset will be skippered by Australian Cameron White and he will be delighted to see another Aussie, Justin Langer, in the side. The South Australian, who has played 100 Tests for his country, has just arrived in Taunton and will no doubt bolster the top order while also bringing plenty of experience to what is quite a young team.
White and Keith Parsons have been in good touch with the bat of late while South African Charl Willoughby and the former England player Andy Caddick have been doing plenty of damage with the new ball. But consistency has not been Somerset's strength this year and a strong performance by Ireland could upset the form guide.
Meanwhile, the semi-finals of the Dublin Grass Machinery 45 Overs League take place today with Railway Union against The Hills at Milverton. Rush host Malahide at Kenure, both games getting under way at noon.
SOMERSET SQUAD: Cameron White (capt), Justin Langer, Matthew Wood, John Francis, Wesley Durston, James Hildreth, Keith Parsons, Carl Gazzard, Peter Trego, Richard Johnson, Andy Caddick, Charl Willoughby, Gareth Andrew.
IRELAND SQUAD: Trent Johnston (capt), Andre Botha, Jeremy Bray, Peter Gillespie, David Langford-Smith, Kyle McCallan, John Mooney, Paul Mooney, Kevin O'Brien, William Porterfield, Andrew White, Gary Wilson.
