CRICKET:Ireland play their first game in Dublin since the World Cup today at Clontarf, armed with an exciting new overseas signing.

New Zealander Jesse Ryder, a 22-year-old left handed batsman, has been added to the squad for the remaining six Friends Provident Trophy matches, starting with the match against Gloucestershire. Ireland are allowed to play two overseas professionals under the rules of the competition. South African opening bowler Nanty Hayward made his debut in the match against Somerset on Sunday.

Ryder narrowly failed to make the New Zealand World Cup squad and has a reputation as a hard-hitting match winner in one-day cricket.

He travels to Dublin from Liverpool, where he has been playing for the New Brighton club in the Lancashire League.

Phil Simmons, Ireland's coach, says Ryder will bat at number three today, and will further the options available to the team following the loss through injury of Andre Botha, who badly dislocated a finger in Sunday's match at Taunton.

Ryder is regarded as a maverick talent in New Zealand, and has been frustrated by his lack of recognition from the national selectors. He was named in the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy in India last year. However, his fitness was criticised by Kiwi coach John Bracewell, when the player was deemed to have turned up unfit before the team's tour of Australia.

Ryder was quoted in a recent interview in Spin Cricket magazine as considering a switch to England colours. For this reason, and his attacking style of play, the article styled Ryder as the "Next Kevin Pietersen".

He is joined in the Ireland squad by Roger Whelan from Railway Union, a replacement for John Mooney, who is unavailable due to work commitments.

Behind the scenes, ICU chief executive Warren Deutrom has told The Irish Timesthat plans to host matches involving South Africa and India this summer will go ahead despite opposition from the ECB.

"The games mean more to us than just money," said Deutrom, "Ireland needs to play against international opposition as regularly as possible if the game is to grow here."

India and South Africa are due to contest a three-match, one-day series at Stormont in June, but the England and Wales Cricket Board have objected due to a clash with their matches against West Indies.

England play West Indies in a Twenty20 match on June 29th and a one-day international on July 1st, dates when South Africa and India are scheduled to play.

The ECB are concerned about the effect on television audiences, as Indian-based Zee TV, who have the rights to the match, could sell the pictures on for broadcast in Britain.

Such was the level of disagreement that the ECB questioned Ireland's future participation in the Friends Provident Trophy.

"I wouldn't go as far as to say it was a threat. David Collier (ECB chief executive) is a clever guy, he wouldn't be so obvious," Deutrom said.