THE mystery omission of John Mooney from the second one-day international against Pakistan last week continues to perplex.
Five days after the game national coach Phil Simmons told reporter Ian Callender, "We didn't think that John had enough cricket in the last few weeks. "He was banned for the inter-pro games and that didn't do him any favours," he added. But a closer look at the records of Mooney and his replacement, James Shannon, only adds to the mystery.
Both men played four games: with Mooney bowling in all four for his club and Shannon in two - for club and province. The North County man bowled 22 overs, the Instonians all-rounder just 16.
Shannon also faced 100 balls in scoring 65, while Mooney's 125 runs came off 120 balls. While Mooney missed the inter-pro - in which Shannon made 11 and didn't bowl - he did make 37, 35 and 41no for his club in the strong Leinster league.
It's not clear just how much cricket Mooney was required to play to satisfy the selectors, but he certainly played more than the man who replaced him.
THERE was one upside to Sky Sports turning down the chance to screen those Pakistan ODIs - the ECB hierarchy would have missed Paul Stirling's classy century. The one thing that could really scupper Ireland's dream of test cricket is if England keeps picking off our best players. They've already got Eoin Morgan and today Boyd Rankin could join him, ensuring he will never play for Ireland again.
The big man had been all set to make his debut last Sunday but woke with a sore ankle and cried off.
Stirling underlined his quality by yesterday reaching No.11 in the ICC world rankings, the highest ever by an Ireland player and only place below Morgan's best placing. Kevin O'Brien is up to 31st in the batting tables while Trent Johnston (19th), George Dockrell (33rd) and Rankin (45th) also make the top 50 in bowling. O'Brien has also broken into the top ten all-rounders.
THERE are few nicer places to be on a sunny day than Balbriggan, where enormous strides have been made in recent years. On Monday the club was buzzing for their Division 2 game, and plans are in hand for a new practice area on the Jack Harper Grounds. Albert and Adrian Harper oversee a thriving youth section which trains every Monday and Friday behind the church.
FURTHER to last week's snippet that Michael Launders had been capped by Poland, comes news that his former Terenure team-mate, Ross Whitney, has also been in action in eastern Europe. The Vilnius CC all-rounder won his first cap for Lithuania in the Baltic Series battle against Estonia in 2011, and has now made ten appearances for the country.
PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK: At No.6 in Clontarf's stellar order Andre Botha hasn't had a chance to bat too often this season. But with two team-mates playing for the Lightning he had to step up against Phoenix in the cup. He responded with a new club record 166 - and a Leinster record 25th century.
RSA recently launched the ‘Get Into Cricket' initiative to promote greater participation in the sport and get more people to join their local cricket club. It is aimed at all ages and from those who want to take up or return to competitive sport to those who are looking for a social outlet - either to play, help out in some capacity or simply to make friends.
The Cricket Leinster website (cricketleinster.ie) has more details including cricket summer camps for kids and lots of RSA support materials and equipment for clubs. With clubs in every county now, and new ones springing up all over, there's sure to be a club near you.
TWEET OF THE WEEK: @Green 23 (Trent Johnston) "I see Ponting has been run out for 192 batting with @gwilson14..." #OneToTellTheKids