THE Irish team take a first step towards 21st century cricket today, but they take that step in a decidedly 19th century fashion. The first Twenty20 games played by Ireland (the 'An Ireland XI' tag saves on the money for caps) take place on the Oak Hill ground in Co Wicklow today, and their opponents and venue are a nod to cricket's history.
If recent trends are to be believed, the most important games the Ireland team will play this summer are in the ICC Twenty20 World Cup qualifier in Belfast in August. It is essential for Irish cricket to tap into the millions flooding into the game and it looks like T20 is where it's going to be at for the forseeable future. And given that, it seems extraordinary that Ireland have never played a T20 game. Notwithstanding the glittering careers of the players faced today – their average age is 43 – the fixture is as relevant to international cricket as the Theatrical Cavaliers are to the Intercontinental Cup. Ireland play once more before the Stormont tournament, against Bangladesh A next Friday.
Of as much interest to the lucky spectators today will be the surroundings. Peter Savill's fabulous creation out of the side of a hill could prove a huge boon to Irish cricket. Next week he hosts his old school Ampleforth on a tour with a difference. The schoolboys will stay at the ground, with Dublin club teams coming to play them over the week.
It all happened before of course, and just a short distance away at Woodbrook. The C&C baron Stanley Cochrane built his own ground in 1904, set up a team and packed it with English professionals, and hosted the Australians, Indians and South Africans. He offered to host a deciding test match during the triangular series of 1912 but the game wasn't required. He built a railway station to encourage visitors but Dublin clubs wearied of the trek out to Bray to be hammered by Sir Stan's ringers and the ground never reopened after the First World War.
The Irish women play their most important games of the season this week against the touring West Indies. There is a new captain at the helm, Isobel Joyce, who admits to being a bit overwhelmed by her elevation. 'It's the circumstances, what with losing Heather ,' she told the Sunday Tribune. 'but in another way it's very exciting, especially as Matt Dwyer has agreed to coach us for the series'. Joyce becomes the first of her illustrious family to captain Ireland when she takes the field at Rathmines on Tuesday.
The team are without Jill Whelan, who set off on her gap-year travels yesterday, and the recently retired Ann Linehan and Caitriona Beggs. Joyce is delighted to see Larne teenager Joanne McKinley in the squad. 'She's a great prospect – she hits the ball very hard and is a very committed fielder.' After the disastrous display in the World Cup qualifiers, this series is about 'getting a bit of pride back', says Joyce. The team lacks a bit of direction, with no permanent coach or manager, but they have taken the initiative and worked hard in training and league games this season. Admission is free to all the ODIs and they deserve support.
Ireland: Isobel Joyce (capt), Emma Beamish, Cecilia Joyce (Merrion), Jean Carroll (Clontarf), Nicki Coffey, Ciara Metcalfe, Cathy Murphy (Pembroke), Marianne Herbert, Clare Shillington (Malahide), Amy Kenealy, Joanne McKinley, Eimear Richardson, Melissa Scott-Hayward (Leinster)
Near 90.3FM will be covering the second one-day international live ball-by-ball. The commentator will be the indefatigable Fergus Carroll, and the veteran Clontarf stumper will no doubt take a special interest in the wicket-keeping. Carroll's daughter, Jean (left), is the Irish keeper against the Windies and as the sole 'tarf player in the squad will have plenty of well-wishers. Ball-by-ball coverage commences at 10.30am.
The arrival of the rains usually herald the school holidays. Parents keen to let their offspring enjoy a week of intensive cricket coaching and fun have plenty of options this year. Among the summer camps we have heard about are those at Clontarf (1-3 and 15-17 July, 9am-1pm. 087-314 9886), Malahide (6-13 years 14-18 July, 14-18 years 21-23 July, 086-0576201), North County (under 11s, 12-2pm every Tues and Thurs from 1 July-28 Aug; 087-9823402), Pembroke (10.30-1pm, 14-18 July; boundaries cricketcamp@ gmail.com) and Rush (12-14 August, 10-12.30pm, 086-3356927).
Good news from Edgbaston where Boyd Rankin is 'progressing well' after his shoulder operation. The club physio says he could be back in action in August.