CRICKET/Somerset v Ireland:Ireland's new overseas signing, Nanty Hayward, will receive a baptism of fire tomorrow, when he plays his first games in the Friends Provident Trophy campaign, against Somerset at Taunton. Ireland then move to Southampton on Monday to play Hampshire at the Rose Bowl.
The South African fast bowler arrived in Dublin this week accompanied by his wife and child, set to bolster the Ireland attack.
"It's a big opportunity for me. It's only eight games but who knows what can happen if I perform well," said Hayward this week.
"Ireland achieved massive success at the World Cup and I'm looking forward to working with the talented base of players they have there. Their spirit is very good and that can be largely attributed to Adi's (Birrell) involvement."
He comes with the experience taken from 16 Tests and 21 one-dayers for South Africa up to 2004. His blend of pace and aggression will be much needed on the most batting-friendly wicket in county cricket.
In this week's county championship game at Taunton, Derbyshire scored 801 for eight declared, with four batsmen reaching three figures, and Simon Katich, the Australian Test discard, amassing 221. This is the second time this season that 800 has been scored on this ground. In their first game of the season, Somerset reached 850 against Middlesex.
To add to the challenge, two of the biggest run scorers in the game lie in wait. Marcus Trescothick is back, and has a point to prove. The Englishman left the Ashes touring party, owing to stress-related illness, before a ball had been bowled in earnest. He has spent the first part of the season battering county attacks in an attempt to resurrect his international career.
Justin Langer had a different experience down under, as part of the Australian team that humiliated England 5-0 in the Test series. He retired along with Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath at the final Test in Sydney. His appetite for runs has not been diminished, however. Langer has scored 421 runs so far this county season, at an average of 140.
Also playing will be Niall O'Brien, Ireland's wicketkeeper-batsman, who has been cleared by Northants to play for Ireland during the Friends Provident Trophy. "He wants to play for Ireland in the FP Trophy and his request has been accepted," an ECB spokesman said. "At the end of this year he qualifies for England, so he won't be able to do the same thing next year."
One person who won't be in Taunton is Ireland assistant coach Matt Dwyer, who resigned this week following the 58-run defeat to Kent on Sunday.
The 48-year-old blamed the increased playing schedule: he had spent seven weeks away from his roofing business during the World Cup. "I've had time to reflect after coming back from the West Indies," said Dwyer.
"I'd originally intended to stay on a while to give Phil (Simmons) a hand, but with so many games coming up over the next few weeks, I don't have the same enthusiasm or drive that I feel Irish cricket needs at this time. I suppose you could say I'm getting out now on a high. Ireland's programme of games is hectic at the minute - we'll have played 29 games by the 13th of June, and for a volunteer like myself, that's a considerable commitment.
"I do think that the Irish Cricket Union are going to have to ease the financial burden on both the players and backroom staff - the days of the part-time-volunteer mentality should now be long gone after the World Cup."
Irish Cricket Union Secretary John Wright paid tribute, saying: "Matt Dwyer was a central figure in our success in the West Indies. Irish cricket can ill afford to lose the service of such a dedicated person."
