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A "wee birdie" has just informed me that prior to the South Africans appearing at Ormeau, probably a year or two before, Keith Miller and some of his "Aussie" colleagues played there. He was bowled out, first ball and at once re-set the wicket because he stated later "many had come to watch me bat" Can this be confirmed by anyone, because I do recall the incident ?
Staffy,
These guys will be the start of a line of Irish future county players who will profess their ambitions to play county cricket..with our progress they will soon be able to play in the shamrock over 5 days..and as long as we keep benefiting from overseas players in the short term.. this is a possibility!
I was daydreaming ! It was South Africa I watched in 1947 at Ormeau. Could have sworn it was Australia. I recall Ireland scored 32 and the visitors wore green caps and sweaters.
If anyone would be interested in a week in Barbados for the Super 8's (Potential Ire v Aus/SA & Ire v Bang/Ind/Sri L) then please email info@theulstercricketer.com for more info.
I see Niall O'Brien has talked about becoming an England test player and Adrian Birrell has said Eoin Morgan has the ability to follow Ed Joyce to an England cap. I supported Ed's decision to play test cricket but I now am beginning to see the possibilities for Irish cricket. Why not? Would love these guys to reach their ambitions with Ireland rather than lose them. What are the thoughts of other readers out there?
There seems confusion over Irelands locality if they should qualify for the Super 8's. Is it Guyana or Barbados?
Webmaster:
Staffy, assuming the West Indies qualify, the other team that progresses from Group D will play 3 matches in Guyana, then move on and play 2 in Barbados and play their final match in Grenada
Can anyone recall the Australians playing at Ormeau sometime between 1946-1949 or have I been day dreaming ?
Paul,
I agree on paper Instonians should push the big two. First two games are Waringstown and NorthDown both away. R.McCann, A.White,J.Shannon, R.West, J. Stevenson, S. Wells, E. Moleon-that's some top seven.Eight points from first two games and the belief will be there! Maybe a big 4 league don't forget the mighty Derriaghy!!
Billy Dale.
I don't think Downpatrick will struggle I just think they won't challenge unless they get some new blood. I think Instonians will push the big two, and not just because Whitey's back. I feel Regan was strangely off colour last year and they have a top man in John Stevenson as Captain. If their young players like Rory McCann and James Shannon keep improving and perhaps if Neil Carson plays more this year I honestly feel they could win the league.
staffy, i usually predict lurgan to go down because its either that or predict ourselves which i am never going to do. yeah if we dont get off to a good start we could struggle but somehow we always manage to do ok.
great performance by ireland keep it rolling tomorrow.
naming and shaming... did you see leni (paul lenihan) and his girl babs whelan at the end , she was shedding a few tears of joy , we are going to have to slag her a bit when they get back to downpatrick. Great to see so many familiar faces in the crowd. Just made me jealous i wasnt there
Fantastic effort by Ireland. Both sides can look back and feel they could have won it but what a match.
Realistically Ireland have to beat Pakistan to qualify now. West indies will beat Zimbabwe to qualify with 4 points and Pakistan will win against Zimbabwe too. That means that even if Ireland beat the Windies in the last game it will be too late.
The lads showed great character tonight and it's a great day for Irish cricket.
Should Ireland consider splitting up our left-handers at the top of the order, the Zim bowlers got the line and we struggled?
Does anybody want to name and shame any of the Irish supporters that were featured on Sky Sports today?!
Well done Ireland, that will have a few people thinking before they speak next time.
Was anyone really shocked at Ireland's poor fielding?
i realy fancy if ireland beat zimbabwe they could peat pakistan and qualify. does anyone know what price ireland are to get out of their group because i have a wedding to pay for and it might be worth a flutter. it would at least pay for a lapdance on my stag. Well staffy any new blood at lurgan this year? i know you are much like ourselves its always the sae old faces.
the league could be seriously close this year between third and last, it will as usuall depend on which teams get off to a good start.
Webmaster: Ireland 200-1 to win Group D, not sure about qualification.
PS: Taito
I don't care what anyone says Ireland are underdogs for this game. However they can win it and if so I believe they can qualify if they can win one of their last two. So if you can afford to lose it, Ireland are 11-8 to beat Zimbabwe and I reckon A Botha at 6-1 to be Ireland's top scorer are worth a punt.
Regarding Downpatrick same old faces means same old results with a marginal decline as some players age. I know this from experience only too well. Downpatrick are 2 quality players light and if they could find them they would definately challenge.
Lurgan have Craig Irwin and David Haire returning and Neil Anderson has been practising again and is talking of playing this year. I am still hoping to strengthen before the season starts. I hope to make a little more progress up the league for 2007. But I do agree there is not a lot between teams 3 to 10 and with 2 down this year its going to be a big pressure season.
PS: It's usually around this time of year you tip Lurgan for relegation!
