... so it has become part and parcel of everyday cricket life in climates where rain is prevalent.
But that will be of little comfort to Cricket Ireland supporters after the rain robbed our team of a rare opportunity to beat England. We will never know what would have happened, but yesterday the setting was right, and the players were up for the challenge to deliver Irish cricket its finest hour.
The Ireland team diligently prepared for this England match and they were determined to wipe out the memory of their dismal batting performance last Friday against the West Indies. There was a focus and determination within their squad and its management team, and a belief that this was the platform to bounce back and re-assert Ireland’s credentials for top class recognition. This was very evident when they arrived at Providence yesterday, and when they won the toss, it gave them the ideal opportunity to put their plans into operation. Phil Simmons and Roy Torrens did a magnificent job in lifting the team’s spirits after last Fridays’ batting debacle, and it was a very determined team that William Porterfield into battle against the old enemy.
And didn’t they respond superbly?
All the bowlers stuck to their game plan and some magnificent catches were taken in the field. A few others might have gone to hand, but the enthusiastic ground fielding continually kept the pressure on the England batsmen and they folded. The irony of this great performance in the field was that the rain that finally ended the game, robbed us of the opportunity to finish the job. Ireland were delighted to restrict England to 120 runs and despite what happened last Friday, a run a ball was well within the team’s ability. Paul Stirling may have lost his wicket early, but he was very unlucky after hitting what looked like a great shot only to be thwarted by an even greater catch on the boundary. The ensuing elation within the England camp highlighted their anxiety and the threat that they could be ousted from the tournament in the opening round. The English were clearly under pressure and it showed, but before the show could run its course the rain returned and killed the game. Now we will never know what would have happened.
Another irony on a frustrating day for Irish cricket was the spectacle of Dubliner Eoin Morgan producing another fine performance for England, and the added frustration of seeing our best batsman plying his trade for the opposition. Good luck to Eoin as he carves out a lucrative money-spinning career in the limited overs code, but it highlights the frustrations within Irish cricket that our best young players are vulnerable to similar secondment in the years to come. The progress of players like George Dockrell and Paul Stirling will be watched with interest, but how can Ireland ever compete on a level playing field when countries like England have the pick of several Associate countries and a gravy train of South African glory hunters?
However, until the ICC embraces nationality issues and comes up with a practical solution the situation will continue. This means Ireland will have to live with their frustrations and get on with the job.
Overall the results in the Caribbean were not that impressive, but it was another learning curve for the Ireland squad and especially in the context of facing the top teams in world competition. We produced two excellent performances in the field, and a poor batting performance against the West Indies, but everything would have been transformed had the rain not killed our golden opportunity to beat the English. It was that close and what a fillip it would have given Irish cricket.
This is a big league, and we almost created the shock of the tournament. There is plenty of hope for the future, but in the meantime well done to the players and their support team in getting us to this level.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
Guyana
