and the straight boundaries 70 yards at both ends.

Clontarf groundsman Karl McDermott confirmed that the straight boundary at the Killester End would not currently reach that mark, but that development work at the ground in the off season could bring it close to it. "We're setting the fence back and putting the sightscreens on a rail - similar to that at the Hills - which could save 20 feet or so, " says McDermott, who has had to provide pitches for three ODIs and three FPT games this season and has drawn much praise for his work on the Castle Avenue square.

Eglinton, too, would not pass the test, although another ground in the northwest -- the new venue at Bready -- will be large enough if it is passed in 2009. Which leaves the unloved Stormont. And with the jury still out on whether Belfast fans are interested in watching international cricket after an abysmal series of "crowds" last week, the ICU will be hoping that the Dublin venue hangs on to its status.

Unlikeliest headline of this week, or any other week, was that in the Belfast Telegraph on Thursday: 'Howzat!

Cricketing hero strikes a pose for sexiest man title. Ulster's hunks in battle for beauty crown'. The hunk in question is Andrew 'Andy' White (right), whose simmering charms have found him in the last 12 of the Northern lreland's Sexiest Man contest run by Pepsi.

Andrew is up against a grooming manager, watersports instructor and hair stylist, so competition is likely to be stiff. The final of this event takes place in Belfast on 13 September when the winner will walk away with a �1,000 cash prize. Lynn Palmer, editor of organisers Northern Woman, said: "The Sexiest Man competition is always a sensational event and this year is guaranteed to be the most glittering yet.

"This is teeming with home-grown gorgeousness. Forget Hollywood hunks - for pure sex appeal we clearly can't beat the guys on our own doorstep."

Inseparable spin twin Kyle McCallan was unavailable for comment.

Scotland had an Eoin Morgan moment last week, when Kyle Coetzer opted to stay with Durham's 20:20 side ahead of turning out in ODIs against Pakistan, West Indies, Holland and Ireland. The ICC now have a rule that professional teams would have to "mandatory release" players from associate nations for ODIs against top teams. Coetzer came under "lots of pressure from both sides" before opting for the county, who have never before selected him for a 20:20 game.

The ICC are concerned by the Morgan and Coetzer scandals but seem reluctant to actually do anything. "The English counties are aware of the directive but I am not sure there is anything we can about it when a player chooses his county over his country, " said an ICC spokesman. But the football body FIFA have rules which insist on clubs releasing players for internationals. Perhaps ICC might look at how that works.

Inside Edge had an email from a senior figure in what the late Se�n Pender used call "the umpiring fraternity" last week, enquiring about the frequency of 'hit wicket' dismissals in international matches. It may be a small consolation to Kenny Carroll, who was going well against South Africa before he trod on his stumps last Sunday, that he is the 14th to have done so while playing for Ireland. The first was the Rev Creyke in 1856 and the most recent were Joe Caprani (1951), Joey O'Meara (1963), Michael Reith (1971) and Alfie Linehan (1974).

It has been an even more frequent occurance against Ireland, with the dismissal of Zimbabwe's Vusimuzi Sibanda by Andy White in Sabina Park the 15th to date. Among those to have perished thus were Richie Benaud (bowled Gerry Duffy in 1961) and Willie Watson (bowled Eddie Ingram, 1947) Former ICU PRO James Fitzgerald is now based in Dubai, where he spin doctors for the ICC. In his spare time the former Leinster branch referee has continued to whistle, and has found his way onto the Arabian Gulf RFU referees panel. This weekend he is off to Colombo to referee a sell-out clash between the top clubs in Sri Lanka. With a crowd off 12,000 and live coverage on Lankan TV.

Fitzgerald naturally looked to his former YMCA clubmate Alan Lewis for advice.

"I've asked Lewy for tips on how to look good on telly, but I haven't been to the sunbed so I might struggle to emulate him", Fitzgerald told Inside Edge this weekend. The temperature of 32�C and 90% humidity may sound tough, but it will be a respite from Dubai.