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Paul, I think we are in agreement that the modern era has no bearing on the old Ireland set-up which is why we shouldn't really question the current decision-makers as they are in a different league to their predecessors. So are the players for a variety of reasons as the Irish game has moved to a much higher level. As for the batting order in Twenty20 games, having attended the matches at the Oval and Lord's last week, I don't think it would have mattered if they had put the names in a hat and drawn them out! Entertaining yes, cricket no.
Well said Clarence regarding overseas players.
In fairness though it is not moronic to question Phil Simmons selection policy in the T20 no matter how uninformed the questioner may be. In fact it is a healthy thing that the armchair critic can vent their spleen. For far too long Ireland produced talented cricketers who were exempt from criticism and were only expected to produce face saving performances. Thus for many generations the efforts were woeful when the bar was set so low.
Mike Hendrick was the start of a more professional attitude and it has been built on from there. That the public should have been disappointed with the T20 performance against New Zealand shows us just how far we have come. It didn't escape my notice that Boyd Rankin was a lot more fired up when he came back into the team after being dropped or 'rested' if you prefer.
You are right about Trent Johnston showing more passion than many's an Irish captain born on these shores.
I agree with Wayne. The critics seem to come from a few people in the North West and Dublin but they don't appear to understand where Irish cricket is now or they seem to have a high opinion of their own views. Also agree with Richard Bullick that the Ireland team competing in the FP should not carry the official Ireland name but be called something else. Not sure how that effects Ireland caps or does it matter these days?
Clarence - well said in your article. People should be praising the progress Irish Cricket has made. It is great to see Kyle, Whitey and the rest of the lads perform on the highest stage of world cricket and I am sure if you asked guys who played previously they would have loved that opportunity. Keep it lit!
LAST DAY AT ASCOT , EWAY LUCKY 15 KINGS APOSTLE 345 ASCOT , HIGH STANDING 425 ASCOT . CHARMINIMIX 405 DOWN ROYAL . JARGELLE 255 AYR , GOOD LUCK TOO ALL PLAYING TODAY APART FROM LAURELVALE LOL. AND LURGAN PLAY DUNMURRY IN THE MEADOW DUNDRUM
Following up on Staffy's comments can someone confirm if Ryan Haire is available for Irish selection? He's good enough for that A team and in many eyes good enough for the full squad. Look as some of the players in the Twenty20 squad and let's hear someone justify how they are better than him.
Great to get back to regular league action and hopefully some decent weather. It feels like the season hasn't started yet. What's all this fuss about 1st Class cricket on the other channel. Getting one 1st Class team in Irish cricket would be a challenge let alone a competition. If you want an example look at the ireland A team and how many players would be genuine 1st Class in cricket terms? Without the interpros only stepping stone to international cricket is through the eyes of the national coach.
TIPS STORYLAND 830 GOODWOOD , AL QEDAAFF NEWMARKET 735 . EWAY MUSAALEM 530 ASCOT
TAYTO its as tight as your wallet lol. Lurgan deserved their win as they took more singles & though their pro nirajan godpole was excellent 38 runs + 3 wickets+ the very classy craig irwin ( god we hate him always has big say in both games ) used his expierance too finish off what was tricky situation too win by 4 balls , but at least very hard work from our work party got 4 points for the taking when most would have not tried . tips nap yeats 345 eway mutamaashi 420 just jasmine 305 nosedive 230 .
Another close result last night in section 1 with lurgan beating dundrum in a 20 over game. It is shaping up to be extremely tight this year.
I see the farce of the '2008' T20 was confirmed last night by the team most likely to highlight the issues.
Lisburn's much changed team (whose only chance in 2008 would have been a bowl out!) beat Inst by 50 odd runs.
TOTAL FARCE
PS Well done Lisburn, not your problem
game at dundrum tonight is deff on work party off 6 big thanks ps as long as umpires agree.
not great tues but here goes . nap lovely thought ripon 750 eway alfaatha 420 ascot , dont tell mary 455 eway damaniyat girl 530 . off too work at the meadow see if we get playing tonight 6pm / lurgan deff less tha 50/50 but still 5 hours & deff worth trying
IRISH CUP QF DRAW
Does anyone know when the draw is being made for the quarter finals scheduled for 4th July?
ASCOT TIPS .ALL EWAY AQLAAM 230 .. NAP EVASIVE .345 EQUINO 305 , RAJEH 455 . RED JAZZ 420. DUNDRUM PLAY LURGAN WED 6PM 20 0VERS WEATHER PERMITTING . WHY DID ENGLAND BAT FIRST WEN THEY KNEW IT WAS GOING RAIN SURELY WAS BETTER TOO BAT 2ND & HAVE BETTER CHANCE ?
