AN enormous crowd is expected to cram into Merrion CC's ground on Anglesea Road for the visit of Middlesex on Saturday 22nd June. The county have agreed to play the Dublin club in a benefit game for Merrion player Philip Quinlan, who suffered serious injuries in a fall at the ground three years ago.

Middlesex have promised to fulfill the fixture as long as they don't reach the final of the Benson and Hedges Cup, which is due to be played at Lord's that day. The club will bring a full squad, including Irish star Ed Joyce (right) and test players Phil Tufnell, Owais Shah and Abdur Razzaq. The county will be keen to observe Dominic Joyce at close quarters, as the Merrion, Trinity and Ireland batsman had an inconclusive trial with them last year. The organisers also plan on running a longest throw competition - an idea suggested by an article on the CricketIreland site - and also plan to have a big screen for the football World Cup quarter-final which is also on that day.

There is sure to be a huge turnout of support from other Dublin and Irish clubs, and further details will be announced shortly.

For tickets etc, contact rebecca.rutledge@indigo.ie