Irish bowlers are not renowned for dominating world-class batsmen, but there is at least one exception - and Brian Lara will be out to improve his worst international average when Ireland take on Warwickshire in the NatWest trophy at Edgbaston today.
The prolific West Indian lefthander holds the record for the highest individual Test score and highest first-class score, but in two swaggers to the crease against Ireland, he has mustered only 13 runs at an average of 6.5 .
To be fair to Lara, his innings of four (caught Cohen, bowled Hoey) in 1991, and nine (c and b Doak ) in 1995, were not made in the white heat of battle so much as the lazy haze of a friendly knock around.
Lara today would have to better the trophy record of 206 by Alvin Kallicharran, a predecessor for both club and country, to lift his average near the 79.2 he has managed in 17 Tests against England. Lara is unlikely to do that, not only because his form has been patchy in his return to Edgbaston, but also because Ireland have enough nous these days to avoid embarrassment. Indeed, it is the county opponents of Mike Hendrick's side that have had the red faces recently, with Middlesex beaten last year, and Yorkshire twice wobbling but just staying on their feet at Headingley.
Warwickshire, winners of the NatWest trophy in three of the past nine seasons, showed their vulnerability last year when they slipped to 25 for six before recovering to pass 200, which was too many for little Norfolk.
Such depth is one of several factors favouring the professionals, factors that are likely to ensure Ireland don't break their duck in the 60-over competition.
The most coach Hendrick can realistically hope for is that his team will learn from the experience ahead of the more important Triple Crown and European championships next month.
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