Very low key, but nevertheless its a tri series on the back of NZ winning the natwest series vs England, they should get another couple of morale boosting wins here, and got off to the perfect start today. Will also be interesting to see who wins tomorrow, and maybe a sign of developing players in the 2 lesser British nations.

Saw a thread saying Ireland should take over Zim's test status....on the basis of today, it doesnt look like thats anytime soon. Went for over 400 runs in the ODI vs NZ today, no signs there that they are any better an ODI outfit, although many of their players today were unavailable for differing reasons. 5 debuts were handed out for the Irish, with only 3 players in the side from the win vs Bangladesh in the WC.

Debut ODI tons for McCullum + Marshall, who just missed out on the record opening stand in ODI cricket, quick 50 for Taylor too, with Mason + Southee taking 3 wickets each. Record win in ODIs, 290 runs.

Tri Series continues tomorrow, with the Scots vs the Irish, followed by the Scots vs the N Zealanders a day later.

As this game (and the rest) are in Scotland, and the hosts weren't on show, cricinfo states less than 100 were watching this cracking display of brute attack today...on a nice summers day

__________________
Hoggy Hoggy Hoggy...OI OI OI!!!

And not only because of the result. Only 6 members of that team were born in Ireland. I know it wasn't their full-strength outfit, but even if it was the number of Irish-born players would be the same. Kenya looks like a far better bet.

Which completely devalues the point of the match, doesn't it? I want cricket to spread, and of course this can only happen with greater exposure, but when Brendon McCullum looks back at his career and sees that his highest score came against a second-string Ireland team- well, it's not much to brag about, is it? Unless these Associate countries play at their full strength, then I personally don't think they deserve ODI status.

More than that if I was Brenden McCullum, I would be so annoyed that his top score was against a poor Ireland side, and the fact that it would be hiding his previous best.
That's more than true, they are going to struggle against the top teams at full strength - what on Earth is the point in fielding a sub standard team.

__________________
Ern