Ireland's important countdown to Toronto continued with a 4-match tour to England. During that Ireland paid its first ever visit to the Denis Compton Oval at Shenley where 3 one day matches were played against a strong M.C.C. side and a trip to Arundel where a match was played against the Earl of Arundel's XI.

What does one make of the outcome of a trip where three of the four matches were lost? The answer perhaps is that it is somewhat hard to know. How much of the outcome was due to strong opposition, notably New Zealand Test batsman Mark Richardson who scored 2 centuries and a 77 in the three defeats, and how much to weaknesses in both the Irish batting and bowling. The batting saw not one half century scored by any of the first 5 in the order in any of the 4 matches. However, on the positive side there was Decker Curry's first ever century for Ireland scored against the Earl of Arundel's XI, and a half-century by him that brought the one victory in the third M.C.C. match. Also there were some useful knocks from Andrew White, Andy Patterson and skipper Kyle McCallan. While the bowling was also disappointing, there were signs of improvement by the end of the tour, a fact commented on by Richardson. The tour continued the comeback to fitness of Eagleson and Mark Patterson and a continuation of this between now and the start of the torunament is a key to the much needed Irish success in Toronto.

On a local level the Royal Liver Irish Senior Cup has seen success for Leinster to an extent not seen for many years. Of the Quarter Finalists 4 are from the Southern Province, three from the Northern Cricket Union and only 1 from the Province that has dominated the competition for the past number of years, the North West Union. In a competition whose aim was to see cross provincial matches it is perhaps most disappointing that in the four quarter finals only one features a cross union match, that between the last North West survivors Brigade against Downpatrick, with the others featuring all Leinster matches between North County and Malahide (perhaps the match of the round) and Merrion against The Hills, and an all NCU Match between Lisburn and Cliftonville. Living dangerously my forecast for the semi-finalists are Brigade, Merrion, North County and Cliftonville. The vagaries of an open draw make forecasting the finalists even more life threatening but if they avoid each other (and perhaps most importantly get a home draw) I would hazard a guess at an All Leinster final between North County and Merrion. If I get that right, I am not prepared to suggest which of two very strong sides would win out, particularly as at that stage Ed Joyce of Merrion will be back with Middlesex, and perhaps his brother Dom also, as he had a recent second XI trial there.

On the lcoal provincial scene the Cup produced some upsets in Leinster with Railway Union toppling Phoenix and C.Y.M. beating The Hills. Malahide have produced some outstanding results this year and again, with my penchant for living dangerously, I would expect the winner of the Cup to come from one of North County, Malahide and Merrion.

The Lewis Traub League, the first competition of the season, is boiling up to a very tight finish. So far, only Merrion are definitely through to the Semi-Finals. From their section they are likely to be joined by North County, with Y.M.C.A. hovering in case NC slip up. The other section is even more open with any two from Clontarf, Malahide Pembroke and Phoenix likely to come through. Although they presently lead that section having completed their programme, Clontarf are perhaps the outsiders with Phoenix and the winner of the head to head between Pembroke and Malahide (with Malahide the favourites) the most likely to come through.

One of the most interesting aspects of cricket in Leinster this year has been the number of non-Irish qualified players appearing. This has become such a feature that regulations have been introduced to limit the number that can appear for a team in any one match to 4, and then only those who have been registered by 1st June and played by 15th June. There are differing views on this, between those who consider it is limiting the opportunities in club cricket for Irish born players in favour of "hired guns" and those who consider that in the open economy that is Ireland there will always be a number of foreigners coming to work in Ireland and why should they be restricted if they are genuinely working here. This is a story that will run and run. Even those who oppose them look forward avidly to the time when those such as Jeremy Bray and Brad Spanner will be qualified to play for Ireland and their only regret is that it will not be in time for this year's trip to Toronto where, if they were qualified, they would be automatic choices.

In the Northern Cricket Union, the Cup there has also produced surprises, not least the defeat of unbeaten league leaders Waringstown by Section 2 Club Bangor and comprehensively by a margin of 8 wickets. Waringstown then had the misfortune to lose out in the Irish Senior Cup having tied with The Hills and losing out on a run rate countback. This will only make them all the more determined to win the League Title and, unbeaten to date, there are few who would bet against them.

The North West league sees Donemana on top with 12 points. Limavady also have 12 but have played 3 more matches. Limavady will miss Decker during the Toronto tournament and this will restrict their chances of capturing the title. They remain in the Cup however, as do Donemana, and one must expect the winner to come from one of those.

There is much therefore to look forward to in local cricket over the next month, but all will have at least one eye on Toronto. To the entire Irish Squad, Coach Ken Rutherford, Manager John Wright and ICU President Derek Scott, together with all the supporters whoa re traveling out go our best wishes and we look forward hopefully to them returning with the Trophy or, at least, with qualification for the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.

© 2001 CricInfo Ltd