2001 is perhaps make or break year for Irish Cricket. The ICC Trophy in Toronto is a huge challenge and anything less than qualification for the World Cup in South Africa will be regarded as a massive disappointment. In Malaysia Ireland finished third and just failed to qualify.

This time two of those who finished ahead of them are already prequalified for South Africa (Bangladesh adn Kenya) and yet there are still three slots available. The problem however is that the Irish side is a weaker one that played in Malaysia. We have lost batsmen of the quality of Alan Lewis, Justin Benson, Angus Dunlop, and all rounders such as Garfield Harrison and Uel Graham. The only newcomer to the batting line up that compares with those is Ed Joyce, presently under contract with Middlesex, and while there are one of two promising younger players the competition may be coming a year too early for them in terms of experience.

A key element of our team in Canada may be the slow bowling department with the evergreen Matt Dwyer, skipper Kyle McCallan, Dekker Curry, newcomer Andrew White and Mark Gillespie.

As well as being good spinners, they are all recognised batsmen. On the other hand the quicker bowling department is weak with Mark Patterson and Ryan Eagleson both long term injuries, and the latest withdrawal from the party is Gordon Cooke who retired after returning home from a warm up tour to South Africa. Whoever we have to open the bowling is likely to be very inexperienced. While he is another who has had many injury problems, perhaps the selectors need to look again at Owen Butler - undoubtedly the quickest we have.

This tour left us with three losses and 2 wins, but it is hard to know how to interpret those results given we were out in our off season and our opposition were in season. The one possible advantage in Toronto is that it comes in the middle of our season. Of those who might have been regarded as fringe players before it started, Dominick Joyce, younger brother of Ed, came on well scoring the only century of the tour. Dekker Curry returned to the team and scored two half centuries and 3 ducks. However, he was suffering from a hip injury which meant he did not bowl at all. Hopefully rest before the season starts will solve this as we definitely need a fully fit and fired up Dekker in Canada.

The next step will be the selection of the party. This has to be finalised by 15th May. Before that there are two scheduled trial matches, presently titled North v South. The first is in Dublin on April 28th and the next in the North at Stormont on May 12th. There is a third one later in May but by then the party will have had to be selected. No doubt it, and the matches against MCC in Shenley and a one day game in Arundel, scheduled for the end of May, will be used as more practice for the selected party. Unfortunately the continuing pressure of cricket at Lords means that instead of Ireland playing MCC there every two years, it will now be only every 4 years, and then is likely to be a one day game only. However, we will be able to play a three day game at the new MCC ground at Shenley and are looking forward to that.

After those games we head to Toronto on 23rd June and the Tournament lasts (hopefully for us we do to) until 17th July.

On our return the second half of the seasons tarts with the visit of the Australians to Ormeau on 12th August. Regretfully this is likely to be the last match at this famous venue as it has been sold and will be vacated at the end of the cricket season. The Triple Crown follows in England in the Brighton area between 14th and 16th August.

Finally, while Ireland, as with Scotland, Denmark and Holland, are not partaking in the Knock Out Trophy in England (the old NatWest) this year because of Toronto, the preliminary rounds for the 2002 KnockOut Cup take place late in 2001. We are drawn to play Wiltshire away on 29th August and, if we are successful in that, our next match is against Hampshire Board away on 13th September.

So much for the International side, the domestic season in all 4 Union areas starts around the end of April. The main contenders in each area are likely to be short some players for a goodly part of the season due to the conflict with the International side's commitments. However, the usual suspects are likely to be the favourites for the competitions in each area. In Leinster Clontarf, Merrion and Phoenix will be competing for the major trophies. However, keep a watchful eye of North County. They have just been promoted to Section A but have been quietly building a strong team, as well as moving to a new ground. They would be my tip for the dark horses of the season.

In the North West it is hard to look beyond Donemana and Limavady, as it has been for a number of seasons now. The Northern Cricket Union competitions may be a little more open but again I will be surprised not to see Waringstown featuring again among the season's successes.

© 2001 CricInfo Ltd