Hendrick needs a boost in Swansea

"THANK GOD that's over," sighed Mike Hendrick in the aftermath of Ireland's degrading defeat by Sussex last week. His largely inexperienced bunch of amateurs had been summarily swept aside by a professional outfit intent on finishing the game as soon as possible. Having to sit and watch the slaughter cannot have been a whole heap of laughs.

Hendrick was not retiring to the Sussex match alone, of course. Apart from the two three day games against Wales and the MCC, the first half of the season has been taken up with competitive games against the counties and for all the talk of learning curves, the constant drubbings must become a little demoralising. Chuck in the failure to beat a decidedly ordinary Welsh side and defeat by the MCC and gradually the rumours begin to circulate that the national coach is under a bit of pressure.

In fact, the real examination pressure begins this week with the Triple Crown. Fifty overs cricket against fellow amateurs presents a realistic test of the squad's capabilities and by association, of Hendrick's coaching and management skills.

He is hampered somewhat by having to work with a team that is still in a state of flux. The squad that arrived in Swansea yesterday evening is greatly changed from the one Hendrick inherited at the beginning of last season - just five of the 13 took part in the last ICC Trophy competition in early 1994. The youngsters who have emerged thanks to the development squad have performed well but there are still a couple of personnel problems.

Top of the list, literally, is the need to find an opening partner for Kyle McCallan, who has been an unqualified success since coming into the side against the Welsh. Justin Benson is too precious and too loose to risk against the new ball and so Decker Curry has been recalled to fulfil the pinch hitting role. This is a huge risk both in terms of his hit or miss approach to batting and to availability for selection - but the next ICC tournament is not too far away and risks need to be taken.

Hendrick is also short at least one specialist bowler. Ideally Ryan Eagleson would operate at first change but Owen Butler's injuries have prevented him from playing sufficient cricket to be considered just yet and so Eagleson has shared the new ball with Mark Patterson.

Once the mainstay of the spin attack, Garfield Harrison has struggled this season, while Benson, McCallan and Derek Heasley have merely "done a job," rather than presenting any genuine threat. Curry's return may provide an option.

Ireland's best performance in this competition was in its inaugural year, 1993, when a surprise defeat by Wales on the final day denied them the trophy. A similar return this week might just bring a smile back to Hendrick's face.