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Today was yesterday's future Roger.
Go for it now!
Here we go again Gary - the minority dictating to the majority. Now where have we seen this before?
Officialdom can't win. If we want these matches we have to fit into Pakistan's schedule not worry about the possibility of re-arrangements for minority interests at club level. Sometimes you have to see the bigger picture.
Taito, thanks for your comments. I'm sure the vast majority of cricketers feel the same way regading the NCU's decision.
The NCU may well consider moving the Challenge Cup final to a closed Saturday in the near future, when the introduction of 8 team leagues should lead to less fixture congestion and give us a bit more room for manoevre.
Organisers caught between a rock and a hard place. Go for midweek and no-one comes, go for a Saturday and people would rather be playing cricket. Not sure what the solution is. Still, I'm a big fan of the pricing of tickets for school kids. Let's hope for some sunshine.
I have to say I think the NCU making the pakistan game a free date is a great move. We need to support the Irish team if they are to move forward, big crowds at home games will certainly raise the profile of these fixtures and getting a decent crowd there will mean more chance of all the international games not being lost to Dublin.
I would like to see the NCU take a similar step the NCU cup final, play it on a saturday make it a free date, you would see a massive swelling in the attendance for what is the biggest game in the NCU calendar.
Never a truer word spoken Taito!
Re: Ireland v Pakistan ODI's Saturday 28 & Monday 30 May
The NCU has already made Saturday 28th May a closed date for all cricket under its jurisdiction, and notified clubs and schools accordingly.
We hope that the other Unions will consider doing likewise, allowing players to attend these ODI's and give Ireland a big welcome in their first matches back after their exploits at the ICC World Cup in India.
Cricket Ireland has made generous concessions for Under 16's who will be admitted free if accompanied by an adult, and for £8 for both matches (or £5 for one match) if unaccompanied. School parties will be admitted free of charge (including pupils over 16), with only accompanying teachers being asked to pay an entry fee.
I would appeal to all cricket lovers to please come along to Stormont on 28 & 30 May and support the Irish team and see the Pakistan stars in action. Let's fill the ground and make it another memorable occasion for Irish cricket.
How many people are realistically going to go to Stormont to watch. I know I'd rather play for my club that Saturday rather than going over to lifeless Stormont - In fact I'd rather go shopping with the Mrs! Surely the NCU need to re-think this, let clubs who want to play play that Saturday. There's 2 re-arrangements for clubs already and the season hasn't even started yet! Definitely well played NCU! I'm sure the clubs who are due to play Lurgan and Ballymena (don't play Sundays) are delighted!
Just looked at the NCU site and I see they've made the Saturday of the Pakistan a closed day, well played NCU!
Re Ireland vs Pakistan
Surely moving the game from Friday to Saturday isn't a very good move, I know it had something to do with Pakistans travel plans but I wouldn't see too big a crowd on the Saturday as a lot of people who would have been going will be playing for their club sides instead?? Not such good work Cricket Ireland
The good news seems to be that for school groups for the Ireland vs Pakistan game, the pupils get free with a teacher. How pleasing it is to see a pricing and ticketing approach that will encourage young guys to come and watch. Well done Cricket Ireland! Any previous annoyance is willingly taken back.
Just looking at the prices for the Ireland Pakistan match on Saturday 28th May. Am i right in thinking that if i take a group of school boys it will cost £6 for those under 16 and £25 for over 16? hmmm. I wonder if many of the older boys will go. Please tell me I'm wrong about this.
I see Carrickfergus are the latest team to be awarded the Cricket Ireland/Clubmark NI Club Accreditation. Well done, quite an achievement from what I understand.
Who are the other 3 - is is North Down, Derriaghy and Templepatrick?
A mighty match today India v Pakistan, would like to see it all come good for Afridi & his team and take down the mighty Indians for a change.... give their beleaguered cricket loving public a great tonic back in their home land !
Picked up on a great gaff on the radio just now, Agnew was commenting on the intense security surrounding this match to his commentating colleague Vic Marks.
He said " Every single person has been practically intimately searched before entering the stadium today " "
Were-upon Marks innocently retorted,
" Yes.. they leave no 'stone' unturned "
Classic entertainment, some material maybe for your speech Andy ?
Final call for NIACUS Annual Dinner on Friday 8th April 2011 at the La Mon Country House Hotel. Tickets priced at £30. Would appeal to clubs and players to come along and support us. We support you during the season and you would be most welcome to come along. Our guest speakers are Andy Kennedy who will provide us with some of his wisdom and Niall Crozier who is the rugby correspondent for the Belfast Telegraph and also a comedian. Tickets can be obtained from any member of our Executive Committee.
Andy
NCU Bye Laws:
(o) Players’ clothing shall be predominantly white.
In the Challenge Cup matches between Premier League clubs shall be played in coloured clothing.
Other matches in the Challenge Cup may be played in coloured clothing if both teams agree.
Full updated NCU Bye Laws for 2011 at this link:
http://www.northerncricketunion.org/database/thencu/Bye-Laws (2011).pdf
