Ireland face test of mettle

In normal circumstances, the morale of the visiting Zimbabwean cricketers would be high, given their deserved draw in the second Test against England at Trent Bridge the other day. But a few personal tragedies involving family members of the players at home will hardly do much for the squad's spirit, and two reinforcements have had to be flown in, Paul Strang travelling from England and Craig Wishart from Harare.

But, beyond doubt, the mettle of this Ireland side (when it is finalised this morning) is certain to be tested today and tomorrow at Castle Avenue. The presence of Mark Waugh should boost the all-round strength of the side - as well, hopefully, as entertaining the crowd - but national coach Ken Rutherford will surely be more interested in how the home-grown cricketers perform. The general ennui which bedevilled Ireland's play against Shropshire in the NatWest Trophy match early last month must still be a worry for the coach. And unhappily, there was little to be gleaned from the rain-affected games against the MCC at Eglinton a couple of weeks on.

Ryan Haire hit an impressive 31 in the first match against the MCC but has had to cry off the present squad and has been replaced by Barry Archer. Hopefully, Archer will be able to capitalise on his reprieve for he has not been having a good home representative season thus far; he was out third ball against Shropshire, he made 17 in the first MCC match and the rain prevented Ireland from batting in the second.

Zimbabwe, having been destroyed in the first Test at Lord's, came good in fine style at Trent Bridge, with Murray Goodwin hitting an undefeated 148 in the first innings, before the bowlers skittled England for 147 in the second.

We should be in for an interesting couple of days, weather permitting, particularly since the Ireland players are keeping a hopeful eye on the ICC Trophy next year. Play begins at 11 a.m.

Ireland (from): A Dunlop (YMCA) capt, B Archer (The Hills), J Bushe (Waringstown) w/k, O Butler (Old Belvedere), G Cooke (Brigade), P Davy (Pembroke), N Doak (Lisburn), M Dwyer (The Hills), P Gillespie (Strabane), D Heasley (Lisburn), K McCallan (Cliftonville), P Mooney (North County), M Waugh (Australia).