Hansie Cronje batting against Middlesex (Photo: INPHO)April 1997 and Ireland had just returned from Malaysia having missed out on a World Cup berth having been beaten in the semi-final by Kenya by just 7 runs, and then collapsing in the crucial play-off against Scotland - an incredibly bitter pill to swallow with such a big prize at stake.

The opportunity for the Irish to get straight back on the horse came more or less straight away when Middlesex arrived at Castle Avenue for a Benson and Hedges cup tie.

The Irish were coached by Mike Hendrick, who masterminded what was to become Ireland's first win over county opposition in a competitive fixture.

Hendrick was the Ireland coach from 1995 until 2000, and he told Wisden in a 2005 interview that he felt the English side were guilty of under-estimating a well-drilled Irish team. "There was a little bit of arrogance about Middlesex when they arrived at the ground. I think the attitude may have been "let's stick `em in, bowl `em out and knock `em off."

Ireland's ranks were bolstered by the inclusion of South African Hansie Cronje, who was one of a series of overseas players used by Ireland in that period as part of a sponsorship deal brokered by Tony O'Reilly of Independent Newspapers and Ali Bacher.

"Hansie was very influential as you would imagine getting 94 and 3 wickets but it was the overall belief he gave us," said all-rounder Peter Gillespie.

"He was so down to earth it was unreal. We were disappointed coming of the ICC trophy in Malaysia and missing out on qualification but in hindsight that was the best pre-season we have ever had and we hit the ground running! That with Hansie thrown into the mix turned out to be a perfect recipe for victory."

It wasn't Cronje though but the enigmatic Decker Curry who gave the Irish a flying start that day with a whirlwind 75, opening the batting with Kyle McCallan.

"Decker batted beautifully that day and took it to the Middlesex attack from the off. It really set the platform for us getting 281 which was massive."

Angus Fraser was one of four Test players in the MIddlesex line-up, along with Mark Ramprakash, Phil Tufnell and Mike Gatting. Despite this experienced quartet, none decided to employ any vocals to try and upset Curry's rhythm as he set about their attack. Fraser explained to Wisden the rationale behind this: "Middlesex weren't much of a sledging side and when we found out that this lad could probably break a sheep's neck with his bare hands, we certainly weren't going to say anything to annoy him!"

Alan Lewis scored a crucial 34 in a vital stand with Cronje as the Irish shared partnerships throughout the innings to post 281 for 4.

"My abiding memory was initially Decker going large and then personally a partnership with Hansie Cronje," said Lewis. "I remember Hendo losing it early on (quite understandable) as is tradition with Irish teams waiting for someone to tell them what to do as Hansie is dressed and ready to go an one and a quarter before kick-off waiting for all of us to get on with it.

Angus Dunlop celebrates his catch with Kyle McCallan (Photo: INPHO)'Two things about Cronje in this game - one he was absolutely plumb first ball and was given not out and went on to score an undefeated 94 - There's a surprise for a Test star!

"Secondly a mid-wicket conversation with him where he put the onus on me to tell him what we should be doing. I said move along at 3 or 4 an over through the middle period which we were in and he told me 'no I want six singles this over'. That always stuck with me. Went back on strike and didn't focus on fielders but merely gaps! Got the 6 and he then said 'I have seen more ODI's lost in this period by not doing what we have just done.

"He had a great influence on the team and was simply one of the boys who gave his best. Spoke about getting two run outs an innings and the value of a run out. Also Benny - Justin Benson who bowled his dibbly dobblies in this game and when needed in Malaysia never did."

Greg Molins was making just his sixth appearance in Irish colours that day and didn't feel hindered by the baggage that was carried by some of his peers.

"It was my first ever outing against a professional team including household names like Gatting, Ramprakash and the most colourful Tufnell," said Molins.

"I was expecting to win, like I would in any match . I'm not sure the likes of Alan Lewis and Angus Dunlop were, as they had been on the receiving end of countless defeats against county opposition.

"We had the added benefit of Mr South Africa, Hansie Cronje in our team and he fitted in so well to it . Embracing the culture of Irish cricket so well.

"Regarding the match scoring 281 runs back then especially in April was a huge score mainly due to the efforts of Curry and Cronje. And least not forget the big LBW shout turned down against Cronje when he was on single digits. John Holder could easily have picked up the man of the match accolade!"

Despite having 281 on the board, Ireland were taking nothing for granted, but despite a number of their players getting starts, Middlesex were never in serious contention.

"Cronje followed up his 94* with 3 wickets for a superb all-round performance and after the match he was running a coaching session with some kids. I was in awe of his professionalism," said Molins. "So by the end of 29th of April 1997 I had a 100% record against professional opposition. This record only lasted a few days, an enjoyable few days at that!"

Justin Benson and Cronje took three wickets apiece while Derek Heasley and Greg Molins each took a brace in a 46-run win.

Although opening bowler Peter Gillespie was wicket-less, his outfielding saw him take two superb catches as the Irish strangled their county opponents. "Getting Ramps and Gatting out was obviously key and it was after Gatting fell we really began to believe the game was ours for the taking.

Champagne time for Ireland  (Photo: INPHO)Champagne time for Ireland (Photo: INPHO)

"I took a great catch running up the hill from long on then dropping a dolly again at long on to win the match when Hansie had already started to celebrate winning the match!

'I remember Angus Fraser hitting me down the ground for six. He ended up getting a few runs but it was a bit of a hit and hope innings. I had never beaten professional opposition before but my memory was we looked the professional team after the disappointment of Malaysia earlier that month. We looked better as we had simply played and were match hardened," added Gillespie.

Rain forced the game into the reserve day but with Middlesex 134 for 6, the contest was effectively over, and so it duly proved. The celebrations were merely put on hold for 24 hours as Alan Lewis confirmed.

"My last memory was the game had to go over to the next day which was a pity as a win seemed a forgone conclusion. Great celebrations followed as you can imagine."

This match was the first in a series of famous wins, and although the brief Ken Rutherford reign was one of disappointment and controversy, Adi Birrell soon arrived and set Irish cricket on a patch which would see Test cricket eventually delivered.

"I laid the tracks and Adi drove the train on it," Hendrick proudly declared to the Irish Independent in 2013. Who knows how far Irish cricket will travel in the next 20 years?

Match photos courtesy of INPHO.