"We had a meeting with Phil last week and he's full steam ahead with planning for the Under 19 World Cup and for next season", ICU chief executive Warren Deutrom told Inside Edge yesterday.

"He's not quite sure what's going on in the Caribbean but has told us he'll let us know when he finds out."

Deutrom himself is busy planning the next crucial 18 months for Irish cricket, when the target of a second World Cup qualification must be secured. "Depending on funding from the sports councils, we would hope to tour Bangladesh next spring. We would take part in a triangular with South Africa and play some other ODIs with Bangladesh."

The increasing opportunities have flowed from Deutrom's election to the ICC chief executives committee, a rare honour for the ICU. The CEO also has his hands full with a series of proposed changes to the way Irish cricket is governed, and which will be voted on by the union's executive next weekend.

With all done and dusted on the field, the winter will be spent handing out awards and preparing for a hopefully drier 2008.

The final Leinster averages were issued last week by the indefatigable Gerry Byrne, and they show what extraordinary value Clontarf gathered from their Australian pro Rod Hokin. Besides his cup final winning century . . . and another against North County . . . he topped the provincial batting averages with 200 runs more than anyone else, finished fourth in the bowling with 35 wickets, and snaffled 11 catches. He also won much praise for his marshalling of the Castle Avenue youth system which hit a record number of participants this year.

Hokin's points total in the all-rounders table was over 50% more than second placed Anton Schultz. The Leinster allrounder won the Samuels Cup as the best non-pro, and also picked up the Marchant Cup for batting. The O'Grady Cup for bowlers was won by the highly promising Richie Keaveney of Merrion who took most wickets with 36. Keaveney is one of the most exciting players set to make the step up to the national team.

The leading wicketkeeper was rookie Mike Martin of Munster, who played only 10 matches to achieve his 25 dismissals. Martin wins the Hopkins Cup, presented by former Ireland wicketkeeper Joe Hopkins, who died last week.

Hopkins was one of an illustrious group of cricket people who passed away this year, including his fellow international Ham Lambert. Other lovers of the game who died include Patrick Harper (Balbriggan), Willie Morrissey (Civil Service), umpire John Heavey (Merrion), NCU secretary Bill McCarroll and ICU president Bob Kerr.

Liam Rooney's new Irish cricket magazine Cover Point is now out. Copies can be downloaded from the website (www. cover-point. com) or can be had by emailing editor@cover-point. com or phoning 01-825 4357 to request the first free issue. There is much excellent reading inside its covers and subsequent issues will be available on subscription at 23 or �15.

With the season drawing to a close, Inside Edge gets to hand out a few awards for the momentous year 2007.

Best moment: Trent Johnston thumping the ball high into the George Headley stand to ensure Ireland had beaten Pakistan.

Best century: There were a record 13 in all, and Jeremy Bray's unbeaten 115 against Zimbabwe started the World Cup campaign with a bang, but it's hard to vote against Eoin Morgan's new Irish record 209 not out against UAE in Abu Dhabi.

Best innings less than 50: Under incredible pressure, and showing class and composure, Kevin O'Brien's 16 not out against Pakistan wins. He batted 52 balls over 92 minutes and without him none of what followed would have happened.

Best bowling: Andre Botha against Pakistan: 8-5-4-2. Still stunning.

Player of the season: Botha. Trent Johnston's leadership has rightly put him to the fore in other award schemes, but Botha's contribution with bat and ball reached new heights this year. His bowling spell against Pakistan, big centuries in the Intercontinental Cup against UAE, Scotland and Bermuda, and an Irish Senior Cup winners medal clinch it.

Best new cap of 2007: Alex Cusack. The Clontarf all-rounder took to the green shirt from the start, winning man of the match against South Africa on debut and cementing his place.

Best new cap for 2008: Richard Keaveney. The Merrion bowler made giant strides in 2007, learning much from pro Matt Petrie.

And finally. . . thanks to all who got in touch this year and helped keep the column going during the damp days. 'Raiders of the Caribbean', the book Inside Edge wrote with Trent Johnston about the magical events of last March and April will be in the shops in a fortnight. Winter well.