Forum

Anyone who scoffs at the idea of playing in coloured clothing, white balls, full ODI fielding restrictions including power plays is surely stuck in the dark ages. Are you suggesting it would have a negative effect on the game in Norn Iron? The one bouncer an over rule needs to come into play as well to promote short pitched bowling as an option to those who can get it that high. To me, if the officials in Norn Iron are serious about promoting the one day game and producing players for the next level then it's a no-brainer to bring the game into line with ODIs and domestic one day cricket at least. The fact that the Leagues have the Duckworth/Lewis system in play yet bowlers aren't even allowed to make a batsman think twice by bowling an 'allowable' bouncer an over is ludicrous. The NCU needs to get on the back of Ireland's success at the Cricket World Cup by initiating a change in rules otherwise how are you going to produce tactically astute cricketers who think about the modern one day game and are successful in it by being able to execute a well thought out plan in the middle. Where did Eoin Morgan learn to do so? Surely he's the yardstick and if Irish cricket can 'produce' a player of his ilk, surely it's possible to produce more...

I have to smile when I see comments about playing the game in coloured clothing and with a white ball and how it will prove more appealing to young players. Why will it be more appealing? Who says it will? Do we have any research that says this? Do we really believe that it is the colour of a shirt and a ball that is either attracting or putting off 11 year olds?
I would suggest that what will attract young players to cricket are good, enthusiastic coaches, well organised practices, regular competitive matches played at the right level, a sense of belonging within a club or team and above all, fun. I'm really not convinced that going to the expense of buying a lot of new coloured kit and more expensive white balls will make a pick of difference.

Just had it confirmed that the Golfing Union of Ireland have decided to play 12 holes in a round of golf in their competitions this year and the Irish League are making the goalposts 24 yards wide to facilitate bigger scores and make it more competitive. The matches are also being reduced to 60 minutes duration as the players want get out on Saturday night and wear their coloured clothing.

Must agree with Neal's point...there is certainly alot of practical sense for all cricket to be played with white balls and coloured clothing etc...currently most clubs invest alot into ensuring that they have both for various competitions.

Agree that this would certainly raise interest, and appeal for the game, especially amongst the younger generation of players....we should be doing everything possible to encourage them to play our game and not other competing sports which seem to greater appeal to many. Also shorter formats of the game should cotinue to be introduced at Junior level, up to 50 overs at 1st XI, progressively adopting the one day international codes/rules.

very defensive jeff lol, you love beating us? what is it 3-1 to us? Let the battle commence, great to have the derbies with ourselves you and saintfield again this year. You might get a bowl yourself jeff if all those boys arent available

Not so sure about the English rugby team Andy, but now that the Ireland cricket team are homeward bound, I'd like to see England go on and win their next three matches and lift the 50 over world-cup.

We've seen the good, bad & the downrite ugly side of their various performances throughout this tournament and while they haven't been the best team in the competition, they've been the most entertaining one so far to watch and in their skipper Andrew Strauss they have a magnanimous leader and a fine opening bat too boot.

Anyway who-ever wins it, the Irish cricket team's overall 2011 cricket world-cup adventure has been a great success as has been the competition as a whole.
Great advert for 50 over one-day cricket and should help provide a further 'shot in the arm' for our own local game by getting even more young-uns' out with bat & ball.. mad to get at it !

Now all we just need is a long hot,dry summer!!

this is DEFINITELY my last word on this subject ahead of the England q-final. If they get beaten will they be producing a video along the lines of the rugby Grand Slam winners? Oops - whadda mistaka da maka! Eerie beeping noise in Dublin on Saturday night - the sound of Martin Johnston's open-top bus reversing back into the garage! My old grandpappy used to talk about enumerating chickens prior to hatching!!

Surely its about time that cricket here acted on the success that Ireland have had at the past 2 world cups!!

It most be about time that cricket in the NCU moved with the times. If we want to achieve increasing participation numbers then surely steps need to be taken.

Unless I'm mistaken there is no 4 day or test cricket played in this country so that only leaves 50 over cricket in the Senior Leagues and less over in the Junior Leagues. In that case should we not be jumping on the Ireland World Cup band wagon and be playing in coloured clothing, using white balls, fielding restrictions, powerplays etc...

These steps might help boost numbers but surely one major benefit that it would have would be to help boost the number of NCU cricketers that could potential be included in future Ireland squads due to having played the type of cricket they would be playing at ODI and World Cup qualification level.

Just a thought......

YES good luck to the grasshoppers touring team. anyone know who the squad is ? tayto RUMOUR had it you paid the 40£ you owed me but it was also bull$hit. dont you fear about Dundrum as we love beating yous .Just like add our sympathy too the Taylor an Mccann family circle on the death of Davy Taylor a stalwart at Dundrum who was a very underrated opening bowler who will be remembered my all at the club for being a gentleman on an off the pitch . RIP Davy Taylor

Like to wish The Grasshoppers a thouroughly enjoyable and successful 17 nights in Antigua and Barbados. Especially Neil Russell who i know has put alot of organizing into this trip, whilst not forgetting the others who have put work in behind the scenes and to the guys who helped with some fundraising efforts.

jeff.
so bassett away, i heard big lee isnt playing any truth in that? (im sure the big man will turn out against us especially) and i heard joel is working saturdays?? Three best bowlers potentially not playing, or is it just the rumour mill again?

Surely the day that anyone wants stop a player young or old wanting too play at the highest level is madness as thats why most people play sport .i personally love loyalty but think its every individual right too try play at premier level an wish them well. Neville and Alan Neill left us to join downpatrick an fair play they showed everyone that even junior clubs can supply top class players and i hope and pray that some of our juniors go on to play in the premier or ireland or Dundrum as thats why i give up my quality time as we have a duty to supply players for all levels of a sport we all surely love an i have no doubt that NCU an irish cricket has improved bigtime an the next decade will be the best standard we will watch .ps good luck Andy Bassett who has joined premier club Lisburn from all at Dundrum cc

Dear All
As a now former cricketer and as someone with more than a passing interest in this debate on player movement I put this to you.
Firstly, Irish International cricket has moved on considerably....and for the better I hope you'll agree.
Second, Cricket Ireland has put in place a structure to identify and nurture elite talent and invests time in our youngsters from an early age.
These kids for the first time can now be motivated by a true aspiration to play professional cricket...can you believe it....how great is that !
Where that talent starts is one thing and as someone who has coached kids I understand the personal effort from clubmen everywhere to grow clubs through their youth but please don't let the notion of loyalty create a barrier for the crop of talented young cricketers to play at a club which is necessary to give them the appropriate opportunity to improve their skills and prove that they can aspire to play cricket at the highest level.
Quality teenage talent should be helped to develop by their 'friends' at their home club......and if that means they must move to test themselves in the premier league then wish them well and hope they come back someday to sign autographs for your new crop of youngsters......

Totally agree with James Marshall - referring to Paul McCrum & Derek Heasley most inappropriate - two players who delivered wherever they played.
Both tremendous cricketers & popular at every level - dedicated, professional, warm, genuine men & great ambassadors for the game of Cricket as are Simon Corlett, Steven Warke & Michael Shannon - wherever they played at home or abroad. I'm sure all their team mates at international, inter-provincial & club level would agree........perhaps it's the odd 'bigot/opponent' who doesn't with all entitled to their opinion and thankfully the game is bigger than us all!

Andy K - it was Michael Shannon who mentioned driving lesson's. Maybe you could use that lure at Muckamore?