IRELANDS' WOMEN cricketers will play three matches this summer against the South African national team, which will be making its first visit to Europe. Other major tourists include New South Wales and Pakistan, who will each play three matches, though the dates for the latter visitors have yet to be fixed.

The growing international stature of the Irish Women's Cricket Union (IWCU) is underlined by the fact that the South Africans made contact directly with the Irish body, rather than fitting Ireland in as part of an English tour.

South Africa is something of an unknown quantity in women's cricket, but judging by the country's all-round sporting excellence they should be a quality side.

The visits of the South Africans, Australians and Pakistanis will, provide the Irish with excellent preparation for the World Cup in India in December. Twelve countries will compete in that event, and Ireland have been drawn in Pool A, with England, South Africa, Pakistan, Australia and Denmark.

But, says IWCU PRO Aisling Kennedy, finance is a major headache. "With the three touring sides coming here and the month-long campaign in India, 1997 is going to cost the union around £40,000, money which we simply don't have.

"We will, of course, be running fund-raising drives, but sponsorship help would make things so much easier, not least for the players who will be going to India for the World Cup. Playing for your country is the greatest of honours, but the fact remains that each member of the squad will have to stump up £1,000 to go there," says Kennedy.

Kennedy would like to hear from potential sponsors. "Ireland ranks fifth, in the world, and that could be improved she declares. Interested parties should contact her at (01) 833 0734 (home) or (01) 452 5777.

Meanwhile, the Tetra Pak Interprovincial series has been reduced to one round of matches, for this season only, because the incoming tours have put ground availability at a premium.