Ireland's opening match in this season's Triple Crown tournament, against Wales at Brymbo CC in Wrexham yesterday, was gripping but sadly brief and in the end, a mere lottery. A sodden wicket first prolonged the 11.0 o'clock start, before finally the decision was taken that the result would be on a bowl-out, which ended in a 4-all tie - better than a defeat, admittedly, but hardly a reason for the singing of a public Te Deum.

Just why a final result, based on so-called "sudden death", could not be reached, was anybody's guess. Normally, in the dreaded bowl-out, which has little or nothing to do with real cricket, five bowlers, alternating from each team, toss up two balls each at unprotected stumps, and if the the hits are level at the end, the next one to break the wicket wins the match for his side.

Anyway, Ireland's five bowlers were Andy White (who thereby won his first cap), Gordon Cooke, Angus Dunlop, Matt Dwyer and new-skipper Kyle McCallan.

The first four-named broke the stumps once each. Unhappily, McCallan was the last to bowl and missed with this two deliveries; but this was farcical stuff.

Ireland play Scotland at Bymbro CC today. Deo volente.

At Northop Hall CC: Scotland 157 for 9, 45 overs (S Smith 65, J Carruthers 3 for 40), England 114 for 9, 36.1 overs (R Halsall 28. D Cox 5 for 23). Rain stopped play. Scotland won on faster scoring rate.