ONE DAY cricket has been little more than a concept for Ireland in recent weeks and yesterday a Benson and Hedges Cup match against Glamorgan became the fourth of their last five games to carry over into a second day.
Only 20.5 overs were bowled at Sophia Gardens in two brief sessions, allowing Ireland, who won the toss, to make steady progress to 74 for three before rain curtailed play at 1.25 p.m. Hansie Cronje, 30 not out, will carry Ireland hopes when the game resumes today.
The South African stroked five boundaries in adding 54 for the third wicket with Alan Lewis, who was lbw for 20 just prior to the conclusive ruins. With Waqar Younis making his debut for Glamorgan, there was great anticipation in the Irish camp as to how talented, yet unorthodox, Andy Patterson would cope with the Pakistani paceman after the opener's smashing innings against Somerset.
A reverse sweep to counter reverse swing, perhaps? Patterson, however, faced only two balls from Waqar before essaying one of his more optimistic lofted drives at a Steve Watkin delivery and lobbing a catch to midoff.
Work commitments and an injury to Ryan Eagleson had left Ireland with only 11 fit men and this crisis for selectors' egos gave bowler Gordon Cooke the unexpected chance to open and see off a couple of hostle overs from Waqar before falling lbw for seven at the other end.
