DAVID RICHARDS, Chief Executive of The International Cricket Council, is in Ireland this weekend to acquaint himself with the workings of the Irish Cricket Union and to get a general feel for the game as it is played on this island.
The ICC is the governing body for world cricket, with the nine test playing nations as full members and 22 associate members. Ireland was granted associate membership in 1993, which ensured eligibility for the World Cup qualifying tournament in Nairobi the following spring.
Of the 20 nations participating in that qualifying competition, Ireland managed to reach the last eight, but hope to improve considerably at the next attempt in Malaysia next spring. Richards advice should be illuminating.
He will meet ICU members in Belfast today and will attend an executive meeting in Dundalk tomorrow before travelling to Malahide in the afternoon, where he might just get to see some cricket weather permitting.
On the playing front, this afternoon's Beckett Cup final at Terenure is the only competitive fixture of the weekend, CYM, winners of last season's Alan Murray Cup, play Limavady, who won the Mid Ulster Cup, in a 40 over contest on CY's new astroturf mat.
By all accounts, the new strip should have a more consistent bounce than the old magic carpet but should still favour the quicker bowlers.
This game will be the home debut for CY's professional for the season, Josh Singh. The Australian all rounder made a favourable impression at a damp College Park last Sunday, hitting a fairly rapid 50 and then clean bowling two of Trinity's top order batsmen with his left arm seamers, which also looked reasonably rapid. CYM have left one vacant spot in their team sheet as John Harty has yet to be released by his former club, Phoenix.
Limavady, league winners in the North West last season, are fairly clear favourites. All their cricket is played on a most runs wins' basis (today's format) and the relatively short boundaries at Terenure should suit Decker Curry and his team mates.
Other visitors to Dublin, front the north are Waringstown, Bangor, Woodvale, North Down, Strabane and Instonians, all of whom play friendlies over the weekend.
A Munster squad will prepared for its interprovincial season with fixtures at Malahide today and at North County tomorrow. As expected, there is a large contingent in the squad from Cork County, who open their account in Leinster Senior League cricket when, Trinity pay them a visit next Saturday.
