Compiled by EMMET RIORDAN

Funky Chicken

IRISH cricket may be making strides in its bid to dine from the top table but further down the food chain they’re still struggling for recognition.

Just like the soccer World Cup, a crisp manufacturer has produced a range of flavours matched to countries, examples of which include India’s Magic Masala and South Africa’s Peri Peri Chilli.

Hard as we tried we couldn’t find an Irish packet anywhere and a little research showed that only six of the sides are represented, with co-hosts Bangladesh and 1992 world champions Pakistan among those missing out.

Ireland’s amazing comeback win against England should surely merit an about-turn from the crisp company, maybe working on a theme of Trent Johnston’s chicken dance celebration, which made a return when he took the wicket of India’s Virender Sehwag last Sunday. And it wouldn’t take much to beat the English again with their lame entry of Grilled Cheese. And of course, it would be all the more sweeter.

Pretty in green (and pink)

IRELAND’S cricketers have become household names in India since their victory over England and have been mobbed everywhere they go since.

At hotels and airports, young and old wait patiently for an autograph or a prizes photograph, with the team giving of their time generously.

Of course, Kevin O’Brien is the top trump when it comes to fans and his pink and bleach-blond hair makes him hard to miss.

The coverage extends far beyond the sports pages, with reporters wanting to know everything from how they are enjoying food (the chicken korma wins hands down) and the shopping.

And some of the players haven’t been able to avoid the gossip columnists, with the Deccan Chronicle pointing out that the girls were particularly taken by the “super cute Nigel Jones”, while “18-year-old cutie George Dockrell had everyone going OMG”.

Oh my God indeed, things have changed.

Change of scenery

THE Ireland squad stopped off in Delhi briefly on the trip north on Monday, with the colour and shape of the landscape changing appreciably once north of the Indian capital.

The monotonous flat and brown were replaced by verdant green fields and a stunning view of the Himalayas from the flight before touching down at Chandigarh Airport.

The level of security was immense on account of the arrival of the cricketers but also because the airport doubles as a base for the Indian Air Force, with the city lying just 200km from the Pakistan border.

The other noticeable difference from the chaotic streets of Bangalore is the better quality of the drivers in the city.

Much of that is down to the ordered nature of the streets as Chandigarh was India’s first planned city, with French architect and urban planner Le Corbusier laying out the plan for the city back in the 1950s.

Brand Ambassadors

IRELAND team sponsors RSA Insurance have played a key part in the development of this Irish team, with the money they pump into the game here enabling Cricket Ireland to offer full-time playing contracts to six of the squad, including batting hero Kevin O’Brien.

RSA marketing director Pat Nally was amongst the Irish supporters in Chinnaswamy stadium for the matches against England and India and was blown away by the atmosphere and the team’s performances.

“I was very fortunate to be in Bangalore for the superb win against the old enemy and, as we have many times before, witness first hand how highly regarded this squad are in international circles,” said Nally yesterday after returning home to Dublin.

“They are a great bunch of guys, confident, highly professional and brilliant ambassadors for the country, their sport and our RSA brand.

Importantly, Ireland has been given a real boost and as with the players, we’re quietly confident of more great days ahead.”