The forecasters say nothing about flash floods, earthquakes or landslides, but you can tell it's time for competitive cricket by the deluge warnings; already, one game in today's Lewis Traub League programme - Cork County and CYM at the well-watered Mardyke - has gone. Four matches are on offer today, and one tomorrow, though the champions, Pembroke, are not involved.

YMCA, like Trinity, will (weather permitting) be in action today and tomorrow, but will be without Ireland's new captain, Angus Dunlop, who is away with the national squad at Old Trafford, preparing for the Benson & Hedges Cup campaign, which begins with the match against Glamorgan at Castle Avenue next Friday. YM will also be short Alan Lewis and Jonathan Garth as they face Railway Union at home today; Lewis will return for tomorrow's match against Trinity. Railway have Australian wicketkeeper/batsman Simon Milton, their overseas player two years ago, back in the side. This season's overseas player, all rounder Michael Tucker from South Africa, arrives next week.

The NWCU Division One League also begins today, with Limavady, who completed a League, Senior Cup and All-Ireland Cup treble last season, at home to Ardmore. This season two teams will be relegated and, with no promotion, eight clubs will contest Division One in 1999.