Joyce trial for Middlesex

As Ireland's final Triple Crown match, against Wales at Moseley CC yesterday, was ruined by rain and finally decided on a bowl-out, it was learned that 18-

year-old Ed Joyce of Merrion has been approached by Middlesex and will play a match for the county's second XI against Northamptonshire in late August.

Joyce, in his first senior international appearance, scored a superb 60 in

Tuesday's match against Scotland, and during the recent International Youth

Tournament he hit the only century of the competition.

The Middlesex approach came via national coach Mike Hendrick, and even though

Irish Cricket Union officials yesterday were a trifle miffed because they were not consulted first as a matter of courtesy, the fact that Middlesex are interested in the Merrion youngster is some sort of a compliment to the game in this country.

Joyce will play in the four-day match against Northants, which starts on

August 26th, after Ireland's visit to Lord's for the annual game against the

MCC. But though he said he wouldn't mind trying the professional game, he is adamant that he will take up the place he has got at Dublin University, where he will go to study economics next October.

"Yeah, I'd like to try being a professional player to see how it goes," said

Joyce yesterday." Playing a seconds game should give me some idea of what it's like.

"But the plan is that I'll definitely go to Trinity in October. I'm not making any rash decisions. And anyway, I'll hopefully be going to South Africa in January."

Meanwhile, even though yesterday's match was abandoned because of the downpour, the ICU sensibly decided to leave the truncated details stand in the record books. Which means that Alan Lewis became Ireland's most-capped player of all time, yesterday making his 119th appearance, surpassing by one Garfield

Harrison's record.

The subsequent 20-overs match was also abandoned with Wales on 44 for 1, the umpires rightly ruling that the conditions were dangerous. Ireland then won the bowl-out by 4-0, courtesy of Davy, Kyle McCallan and Greg Molins.

Scotland defeated England at Walsall by 3-2 in another bowlout, to win the

Triple Crown. The final placings were: Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales.