The Northern Cricket Union has in recent years attempted to set dates for rounds of the Challenge Cup on weekends in which the senior Irish side have no fixtures.
Since the enlargement of the Friends Provident Trophy to eight matches this has become increasingly difficult to do. Cricket Ireland (previously the Irish Cricket Union) also attempt to set Senior Irish Cup fixtures for weekends when the international side do not play as was the case on 10 May.
In 2004 the Union received requests from clubs with players in the Ireland squad to postpone their Challenge Cup fixtures. Bearing in mind its desire to support the Ireland team and also not wishing to disadvantage clubs in our own leading cup competition the decision was taken then to allow clubs to postpone Challenge Cup fixtures if they wished. This dispensation was not granted for league fixtures.
Following requests this season from Waringstown and Instonians the Union granted the same dispensation given to clubs in 2004.
The Union is acutely aware of the impact on the domestic fixture list by international demands. The issue was considered in the drawing up of the Union’s Development Plan and subsequently as we look to implement the Development Plan. A discussion paper as how to address some of the issues will issue to clubs shortly.
Ryan McMaster, NCU Public Relations Officer
