The three-match India v South Africa series starts on Tuesday 26 June, with Ireland playing both test nations the previous weekend. Deutrom explained, "In addition to the BCCI looking to generate revenue from these 'overseas' matches, one of their stated aims is to assist Associate Countries to develop their own cricketing infrastructures by generating revenue through the matches. The BCCI have told us that they are particularly keen to assist Ireland following our terrific success in the World Cup and we are extremely grateful for their strenuous efforts to get the series back on the road so quickly."

The ICU were concerned that they had lost crucial selling days for all of the areas from which they can generate revenue -- tickets, hospitality, perimeter advertising, TV, sponsorship -- and also missed out on advertising deadlines for some monthly publications.

The ICU are happy with the way tickets are selling, with further details on www. cricketeurope. net or from Heather Johnson at the ICU on (0044) 289066231. "We really hope that the public, north and south, really come to the party and support these games, which are so important for Irish Cricket", said Deutrom.

The threat of expulsion from county competitions still hangs over Ireland as the ECB remain piqued over the clash of fixtures.

But does Irish cricket still need these nine games a season? It's hard for the ICU to sell games that are not "internationals" to the wider public - and participation in the tournament is a loss-maker for the ICU. The prospect of extra ODIs against fellow Associates and test nations is surely a better way to go, both financially and as a means of spreading the game.

With an enlarged ICC Intercontinental Cup of seven four-day games, the calendar is already starting to fill up - even more so if the ICC cricket committee's suggestion that Zimbabwe be included in the next I-Cup is taken up.

Perhaps being thrown out of the Friends' Provident wouldn't be the worst thing to happen.

William Porterfield received a major honour last week with his selection for the MCC team to play the West Indies at Durham. The Donemana and Rush opener made a steady 21 in the first innings before he was deceived by an in-swinging full toss from Jerome Taylor.

Other World Cup heroes to have received recognition for their efforts in the Caribbean include Trent Johnston, who has been asked to captain the Europe selection against MCC at Lord's on Thursday. The side, coached by Adi Birrell, also includes Jeremy Bray, Kevin O'Brien and Kyle McCallan.

There is live internet coverage of the game on www. ecc-cricket. com.

Former New Zealand star Nathan Astle got in touch with the ICU last week to say he would like to play for Ireland as a second overseas player. Astle, who retired from ODIs just before the World Cup, is in the UK at the moment playing for the Lashings celebrity club.

Astle would be a quality replacement for his compatriot, Jesse Ryder - whose dismal Ireland career ended when he missed his flight from Liverpool to London last weekend.

Disturbing to see that Munster Reds scratched from their Dublin Grass Machinery League fixture against Phoenix yesterday.

Bank Holiday weekends are a special challenge to fixtures' secretaries but surely 11 men could have been found in the province to fulfil a quarter-final? Trinity similarly pulled out of a cup game three years ago and rightly received no sympathy. They have still to be readmitted to the competition, so Munster can presumably expect a similar fate.

Trinity have undergone something of a resurgence since those grim days and now field three league XIs for the first time since the 1960s. Melbourne-born Michael Higgins made his 3rd XI debut last Sunday and scored an unbeaten 102. Higgins has been at TCD for five years as a research fellow but had confined his cricket to the genteel Museum Players. That side can claim to be the only Irish cricket team to field an Academy Award winner . . . and that includes the Theatrical Cavaliers. Senior Lecturer, Anil Kokaram, won an Oscar this year for his work on video editing software.