THE Irish team to play Wales at Rathmines in just under a fortnight presents a number of talking points. The three day format (a rarity these days) and the unavailability of four regular team members might devalue the occasion in some eyes but the selectors clearly view the game differently.
Although only 20, the inclusion of new cap Greg Molins came as no surprise. Dermott Monteith, formerly a top class slow left armer and now a selector, has been openly complimentary about the Carlisle youngster and his choice as 12th man for the recent game against Gloucestershire gave us a clue.
Molins is not a big spinner of the ball and is essentially a defensive bowler but with limited overs games now the staple diet of the team, economy is everything. He can also bat a bit.
In the absence of Alan Lewis, the selectors have made an interesting choice in giving the captaincy to Justin Benson. There was some speculation last week that Benson's unavailability for the weekend's interprovincials would jeopardise his spot in the Irish side but this is clearly a vote of confidence. Their alternative as replacement skipper was Garfield Harrison - over a hundred caps and captain of the NCU team - but whether the Waringstown man was reluctant to take the job or has been merely overlooked, remains unclear.
Stephen Warke's business commitments left at least one opening spot vacant and the selectors have finally returned to Michael Rea, who was discarded rather unceremoniously after the first Benson and Hedges outing at Southampton. His only chance to make an impression since then was against Leinster last Saturday, when be batted reasonably well for the NCU with 31 but his recall has more to do with just being next in line on the list of batting subs.
Three top order batsmen are missing - Lewis, Warke and Neil Doak - and so, Rea has been given an opportunity to embarrass the selectors again. He admits to being in good nick for Wimbledon, scoring a Surrey League 50 against a quality seam attack of Stuart Kenlock (Surrey) and Tony Murphy (ex Surrey).
Lisburn's Derek Heasley fully deserves to be retained after a fine debut against Surrey last week. Playing a supporting role to Doak, his 36 helped Ireland to score 70 from the last 10 overs (surely a first) and then he took a remarkable catch at third man to dismiss David Ward.
It now seems highly unlikely that Stephen Smyth will play for the side again. The Eglinton lefthander recently put club before, country for the second time in a couple of years.
. Tomorrow sees the final round of group games in the Leinster Schools' Senior League and with High School already assured of a place in the final at Anglesea Road next Tuesday, it merely remains to see who will join them. Belvedere are the best bet, having disposed of their main rivals in Section A, HFDLS Skerries, at Milverton last week.
It was Trevor Forbes, with six for 19, who helped most in the 47 run victory which made partial amends for the defeat by the same opposition in last year's final. Tomorrow, Belvedere hope to maintain this year's 100 per cent record when they play King's Hospital at Cabra, while Skerries take on Gonzaga, again at Milverton.
