On returning from the Caribbean, he played four games in the Friends' Provident Trophy (51 runs at 12.75) before deciding to take a break. At first it was portrayed as part of Phil Simmons' plan to rotate rest periods between the jaded players who had been on the go since early January. But Bray (right) still hasn't gone back. "I was a bit tired and needed a rest, " he explained this weekend.

"At least that was the initial plan. But it's hard to get to training because I live so far away. My wife has her own hair salon business so organising childcare has become a big issue. The reality is that it costs me money to play for Ireland."

Bray is deeply unimpressed with the ICU's efforts to move towards a professional footing. "It's just a joke. But I'm not surprised -- that's the Irish Cricket Union for you."

ICU ceo Warren Deutrom retorted "Fundamentally the ICU realises that the players are its most valuable asset, and we also appreciate the significant frustrations of having to cope with the increasing demands of a busy playing schedule on both their personal and professional lives.

We've met on a couple of occasions with player representatives, and have outlined where we are trying to take Irish cricket as exemplified by these matches involving India and South Africa.

To their great credit they are prepared to be patient, but we understand the need to act quickly in the matter of player contracts, in both the short and long term."

Bray has been able to keep in form by playing with the Hills. "They're a great bunch of guys and it's less stressful." Bray has rewarded the Milverton club with some key innings, including a blistering century in the LHW 20:20 last weekend.

That was his biggest innings since that unbeaten 115 against Zimbabwe, after which Bray's World Cup went a bit pearshaped . . . scores of 3, 41, 0, 0, 1, 1, 31 and 20 . . . and there was a feeling that his technique had been found out under the glare of the tv cameras.

"Well, I was facing the best bowlers in the world. Very few opening batsmen . . .

maybe only Hayden and Gilchrist . . . did well against the white ball." Only eight of the 20 centuries scored at the CWC were made by men at the top of the order, and half of them by the Aussie pair -- and one by the adopted Kilkennyman.

There are plenty more games for Ireland this year, including an ODI against the West Indies in Clontarf. "I'd like to get back in. But I haven't had a chance to talk about it to Phil Simmons yet." He had a "sparing" conversation with Trent Johnston but knows he has some way to go before he returns to the fold. "I'll have to sit down with Phil, Trent and the powers that be in the ICU over the next couple of weeks and put everything on the table. I hope it doesn't get to me giving it all up, but we need to get it all out in the open and see what's on offer."

He plays for the Hills today against Rush. But while he's facing Iqbal, Gul and Metcalfe he could be up against Steyn, Ntini and Nel. The rest of us might be happier with the gentler pace of the Rushians, but Bray knows where he should be. Ireland can ill-afford to be without a batsman of his class.

Ireland face a newlook South Africa today, with several players who are starting their careers at this level on show. There are debuts for the exciting off-spinner Thandi Tshabalala and the all-rounder Vernon Philander, who dropped out of Ireland's FPT squad at a late stage. Ireland, too, give an ODI debut to a man born in Cape Town. Thinus Fourie has been living in Ireland since 1999 and had an immediate impact upon making the Irish setup. "Thinus is one player to look out for, " says Trent Johnston, "He took three wickets in our recent match with Middlesex and will be a big part of our bid to reach the 2011 World Cup."

It is astonishing that RTE, BBC Northern Ireland, UTV, TG4 and TV3 all turned down free highlights packages of the Stormont Future Cup series. RTE had tried hard to secure highlights of the World Cup after Ireland reached the SuperEights stage, only to find their way blocked. So it is strange that the station has so rapidly lost interest in the game that it wouldn't take a package provided by the organisers. The station shows 11 hours and 40 minutes of sport this weekend . . . including a highlights programme of a Grand Prix earlier shown live . . . so surely 30 minutes could have been found. The games will be shown live on Setanta Sports - and in the UK on Zee TV . . . with stations in Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan and Malaysia also tuning in. As we keep pointing out, it's now 27 years since live cricket appeared on RTE.

Maybe the 12,500 active cricketers . . . and thousands more supporters . . . don't pay their licence fee?

Railway Union's annual golf classic takes place next Friday, 29 June, at Edmondstown, with dinner afterwards at the Mount Herbert Hotel in Sandymount. Always a popular and enjoyable event, there are places still available and members of the Irish squad, including captain Trent Johnston and Kevin O'Brien, are down to play. Further details from Maurice Whelan at 086-8567760.